Our legacy
A long tradition and expertise in the coolant industry
Arteco was founded in 1998 as a joint venture between Texaco and Elf. Our parent companies combined their strengths in corrosion inhibition technology and manufacturing, demonstrating their long-term commitment and ambition to this business.
Since then, we have continued to grow steadily, evolving from a niche player into a recognized reference in the industry. Today, we supply coolant solutions to millions of vehicles each year and extend our expertise beyond the mobility sector, serving data centers and a wide range of industrial applications.
Early foundations and innovations
Our journey began in 1948 with the Texaco group’s first production of antifreeze, setting the stage for the company’s future. By 1983, Texaco had expanded its anti-freeze production to Europe, marking a significant milestone. In 1992, Texaco introduced the groundbreaking OAT (Organic Additive Technology) coolant, a major advancement in engine coolant corrosion protection. Elf’s commitment to innovation continued in 1994 when they began OAT coolant production in Europe at the Schoten plant, which remains our primary production facility.
In November 1998, Arteco was officially formed as a 50/50 joint venture between Texaco and Elf, combining their expertise and focusing on the European market. Our motto, ‘Small enough to listen to your problem, big enough to solve them’, became a cornerstone of our identity.
Strategic alignments and growth
The turn of the millennium brought significant changes and growth for Arteco. In 2000, following the acquisition of Petrofina in 1999, Total acquired Elf Aquitaine, leading to the formation of the TotalFinaElf group. The following year, Texaco, Caltex, and Chevron merged into ChevronTexaco, further solidifying their global presence. In 2001, Arteco distinguished itself by obtaining the ISO/TS 16949 certification, becoming one of only six companies in Belgium with this prestigious quality mark.
Our innovation continued in 2002 with the launch of the Zitrec® product range, targeting industrial cooling applications, and the exclusive distribution agreement with Kemira for Freezium in Europe. By 2003, TotalFinaElf rebranded as Total, and in 2005, ChevronTexaco reverted to Chevron to present a clearer, more unified global brand. In 2006, Arteco introduced its first new brand, Freecor® and expanded its presence by creating a Russian affiliate.
Brand evolution and global expansion
In 2008, we unveiled a new logo symbolizing a rotating axle with heat transfer fluids, and adopted the tagline ‘Engenious Coolants’, blending the words ‘engine’ and ‘ingenious’ to reflect our innovative spirit. The year 2009 marked a significant expansion for us as our geographic reach extended beyond Europe to Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, with new offices established in Belgium, China, India, and Japan.
In December 2016, we became a ‘stand-alone’ organization while maintaining our 50/50 joint venture structure between Chevron and TotalEnergies. This transition allowed us to streamline business processes, enhance flexibility, and intensify its focus on technology to address evolving market demands.
Consolidation and technological focus
From 2017 onwards, Arteco has continued to build on its strong foundation, leveraging its global reach and deep expertise to innovate and respond to market developments.
We are at the forefront of technological innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries to develop future-proof products. Our R&D department is a powerhouse of creativity and technical expertise, driving the development of cutting-edge solutions that cater to both traditional and emerging technologies. This commitment to innovation ensures that we remain a trusted partner for our customers, providing high-quality products that deliver exceptional value. Our focus on future-proofing is exemplified by advancements in the e-mobility sector, with specialized heat transfer fluids for electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
While we are dedicated to pioneering new technologies, we never lose sight of our customers' needs. Our innovative solutions are developed in close collaboration with OEMs, ensuring that the products not only meet but exceed customer expectations. Our extensive patent portfolio and strategic IP generation further solidify our market position, safeguarding our unique technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This blend of innovation and customer-centricity positions us as a leader in the coolant and heat transfer fluid market.
Arteco X: Innovation Meets Expansion
In 2021, we launched our In-House Incubator, Arteco X, to harness the power of global trends in digitization, automation, mobility and sustainability. Arteco X bridges the strengths of the corporate world with the agility of the start-up ecosystem, combining our deep expertise in cooling technology and global reach with a culture of experimentation, creativity and speed. Our mission with Arteco X is to explore disruptive ideas, rapidly prototype new products and services and validate them using lean methodologies. Arteco X has become our engine for innovation, where bold thinking meets practical execution.
Opening of a new factory in Nantong
In 2024, we opened a state-of-the-art facility in Nantong, strategically located in Jiangsu Province, China’s chemical manufacturing hub. This investment aligns with our long-term strategy for resilience and sustainability. By producing locally, we significantly reduce the need to transport corrosion inhibitor additive packages from Belgium to China, cutting a major portion of our outbound transportation footprint. This expansion not only strengthens our presence in the Chinese market but also reinforces our commitment to being a reliable, forward-looking partner with ambitious growth plans.
