Soudal
Soudal is a Belgian manufacturer of sealants, polyurethane foams, adhesives and related construction and industrial chemical products.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Soudal is a privately owned Belgian chemicals and construction-products company headquartered in Turnhout. Its principal product areas are silicone and other sealants, polyurethane foams, adhesives, acrylic products and related materials used in construction, repair, renovation and industrial applications. The company serves three broad markets: professional construction, do-it-yourself consumers through hardware and home-improvement retailers, and industrial customers requiring bonding, sealing, insulation or assembly solutions. Vic Swerts founded Soudal in 1966 after acquiring a small business near Antwerp's Ossenmarkt that produced welding materials and polyester putties for repairing damaged automobile bodies. The early business focused on repair compounds, but Swerts invested in more sophisticated mixing equipment and broadened the company's technical capabilities. In 1968, the operation moved to Turnhout, where it occupied land formerly used as a market garden by Swerts's parents. The company later developed higher-quality silicone sealants as an alternative to lower-cost traditional fillers. In 1976, it moved to Turnhout's industrial area and adopted the name Soudal, derived from the phrase “Soudeert Alles,” meaning “welds everything.” Soudal's development combined internal manufacturing expansion with acquisitions, international offices and joint ventures. A major factory fire in Turnhout in 1993 destroyed the original plant, but the site was rebuilt within a year. A second nearby production facility was subsequently established and became a major polyurethane-foam manufacturing site. The company expanded its construction-products portfolio in 1997 through Vic Swerts's acquisition of BAVG from Bayer. In 2004, it acquired the competitor Rectavit in Drongen, while allowing Rectavit to continue operating as an independent entity. Internationalization became an important part of the company's growth. Soudal opened a sales office and storage facility in Shanghai in 1999, followed by offices in Turkey, Norway and Portugal in 2005. In 2011, it established a joint venture with India's McCoy Group, creating McCoy Soudal and extending the business's manufacturing and distribution presence in India. The venture also supported e-commerce distribution through several Indian online marketplaces. The company has also used sports sponsorship to raise brand visibility. In 2014, Soudal partnered with Lotto as a sponsor of a professional cycling team competing in the Tour de France; the association later became known as Lotto-Soudal. During the COVID-19 crisis in April 2020, riders on the Lotto-Soudal team voluntarily surrendered part of their wages as a solidarity gesture. Soudal remains controlled by its founder and continues to operate as an independent international producer serving professional, consumer and industrial markets.
History
Soudal began in 1966 when Vic Swerts purchased a small Antwerp-area producer of welding materials and polyester putties used to repair automobile bodies. The acquisition gave Swerts an entry point into specialized chemical repair products. Within two years, the business moved to Turnhout, onto property that had previously been used as a market garden by his parents. This became the foundation of the company's long-term industrial base. During its early development, Soudal invested in production technology rather than remaining solely a small repair-materials supplier. Swerts purchased a sophisticated vacuum mixer for polyester putties and expanded into higher-quality silicone sealants. These products were positioned as a more capable alternative to inexpensive traditional knife-applied fillers. In 1976, the business moved to an industrial zone in Turnhout and adopted the Soudal name, derived from “Soudeert Alles,” translated as “welds everything.” A severe factory fire in Turnhout in 1993 destroyed the company's plant. Soudal rebuilt the facility within a year, creating what became known as Plant 1, and later added Plant 2 nearby. The second site developed into a major polyurethane-foam production facility and is described in reference material as the world's largest production site for polyurethane foams. The rebuilding and subsequent investment strengthened Turnhout's role as Soudal's central manufacturing location. The company broadened its construction-products business through acquisitions. In 1997, Vic Swerts acquired BAVG from Bayer. BAVG specialized in finished construction products, and its Leverkusen factory subsequently increased production. In September 2004, Soudal acquired competitor Rectavit in Drongen. Rectavit was retained as an independently operating entity rather than being fully absorbed into the Soudal operating identity. Soudal also established an international commercial network. It opened a sales office and storage facility in Shanghai in 1999, followed by offices in Turkey, Norway and Portugal in 2005. In 2011, it opened another production unit through a joint venture with the McCoy Group of New Delhi. The resulting McCoy Soudal operation expanded the company's presence in India and later sold products through Indian e-commerce platforms, including Amazon India, ShopClues, Snapdeal, McCoy Mart and IndustryKart. By the 2020s, Soudal had developed into an independent international producer of sealants, caulks, foams and adhesives. Its business covered professional building trades, DIY hardware retail and industrial applications, with distribution extending to more than 140 countries. The company remained fully owned by Vic Swerts according to the cited reference material. Brand-building also extended beyond product distribution: in 2014, Soudal joined Lotto as a sponsor of a professional cycling team associated with the Tour de France. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lotto-Soudal riders voluntarily waived part of their wages in April 2020 as a solidarity measure.
- 2020
Lotto-Soudal riders waive part of their wages
[1]Riders voluntarily waived part of their wages during the COVID-19 pandemic as a solidarity gesture.
- 2014
Lotto cycling sponsorship begins
[1]Soudal partnered with Lotto to sponsor a professional cycling team associated with the Tour de France.
- 2011
McCoy Soudal joint venture established in India
[1]Soudal created a joint venture with the McCoy Group from New Delhi, adding an Indian production and distribution platform.
- 2005
Further offices open in Europe and Turkey
[1]The company opened offices in Turkey, Norway and Portugal.
- 2004
Rectavit is acquired
[1]Soudal acquired competitor Rectavit in Drongen; Rectavit continued to operate as an independent entity.
- 1999
Shanghai commercial presence opens
[1]Soudal opened a sales office and storage facility in Shanghai as part of its international expansion.
- 1997
Acquisition of BAVG from Bayer
[1]Vic Swerts acquired BAVG, a company specializing in finished construction products, from Bayer.
- 1993
Turnhout factory is rebuilt after a fire
[1]A major fire destroyed the Turnhout factory. The facility was rebuilt within a year, and a second nearby plant was later added.
- 1976
The Soudal name is adopted
[1]After moving to Turnhout's industrial area, the company adopted the name Soudal, derived from “Soudeert Alles,” meaning “welds everything.”
- 1968
Operations move to Turnhout
[1]The company relocated from Antwerp to Turnhout, where it began developing the site that would become its long-term headquarters and manufacturing base.
Products and positioning
An independent, technically oriented manufacturer of sealants, foams and adhesives serving professional construction, DIY retail and industrial customers across international markets.
Sealants
Silicone sealants
Soudal's silicone sealants are part of its core product portfolio. They are used in construction, renovation and maintenance applications where durable elastic sealing is required. The company's development of higher-quality silicone sealants was an important step beyond its original automobile-repair and polyester-putty activities.
Insulation and construction foams
Polyurethane foams
Polyurethane foams form one of Soudal's major manufacturing and commercial categories. They are supplied for professional construction, installation, insulation and filling uses. Soudal's second Turnhout plant became a large-scale production facility dedicated to polyurethane foams.
Construction and industrial adhesives
Adhesives
Soudal supplies adhesives for construction, DIY and industrial applications. The category complements the company's sealants and foams by addressing bonding and assembly requirements across building, repair and manufacturing tasks.
Caulks and sealants
Acrylic caulks
Acrylic products and caulks are included in Soudal's sealant range for construction and finishing work. They serve professional and DIY users who require products for filling, joint treatment and general interior or building maintenance applications.
Automotive and repair compounds · 1966
Polyester putties
Polyester putties were part of the company's original product base and were used to repair damaged automobile bodies. Soudal's early investment in vacuum mixing technology helped it develop this category before expanding into silicone sealants and broader construction chemicals.
Specialty sealants
Marine sealants
Marine sealants are among the specialty sealant products associated with Soudal's broader portfolio. They extend the company's sealing technology beyond general construction into applications requiring products suited to marine environments.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Lotto-Soudal professional cycling sponsorship
Belgium · Europe · International cycling audiences
Soudal partnered with Lotto to sponsor a professional cycling team and secure brand exposure through major road-racing events, including the Tour de France.
Outcome. The partnership established the Lotto-Soudal name and connected Soudal with an international professional cycling property.
Brand decisions
2014
Lotto sponsorship partnershipOtherBackground
Soudal used professional cycling as an international brand-visibility channel.
Action taken
Soudal partnered with Lotto to sponsor a team competing in major road-cycling events.
Aftermath
The team operated under the Lotto-Soudal name and gained exposure through events including the Tour de France.
2011
Creation of McCoy Soudal in IndiaStrategyBackground
Soudal pursued international manufacturing and distribution growth in the Indian market.
Action taken
The company established a joint venture with the McCoy Group from New Delhi and later entered Indian e-commerce distribution.
Aftermath
McCoy Soudal provided Soudal with an Indian operating platform and access to online marketplaces including Amazon India, ShopClues, Snapdeal, McCoy Mart and IndustryKart.
2004
Acquisition of RectavitM&ABackground
Soudal acquired a competitor in the adhesives and construction-products field.
Action taken
Soudal acquired Rectavit in Drongen while allowing it to continue operating as an independent entity.
Aftermath
The deal strengthened Soudal's product and market position without eliminating Rectavit's separate operating identity.
1997
Acquisition of BAVG from BayerM&ABackground
Soudal sought to broaden its position in finished construction products and acquired BAVG from Bayer.
Action taken
Vic Swerts acquired BAVG, whose Leverkusen factory later doubled its production after the acquisition.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Soudal's construction-products capabilities and manufacturing footprint.
Recent events
- 2020
Lotto-Soudal riders waive part of their wages during COVID-19 crisis[1]
Other
In April 2020, riders on the Lotto-Soudal team voluntarily gave up part of their wages as a gesture of solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2014
Soudal partners with Lotto for professional cycling sponsorship[1]
Campaign
Soudal partnered with Lotto to sponsor a professional cycling team and increase the brand's visibility through its participation in the Tour de France.
- 2011
Soudal expands production and distribution through McCoy Soudal in India[1]
M&A
Soudal established a joint venture with India's McCoy Group, creating an additional manufacturing and commercial platform in the Indian market.
Sources1 sources
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