In the world of mobility and industrial applications, coolants may not always be in the spotlight, but they are essential to performance, safety, and sustainability. Arteco NV, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Chevron, has built its reputation as a global specialist in coolants since its inception in 1998. With more than two decades of experience, the company today serves diverse sectors ranging from passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks to buses, construction equipment, and even data centers.
“Our story began with a strong legacy from our parent companies Elf and Texaco. Over the years, Arteco has become synonymous with expertise and innovation in the coolant space,” said Alexandre Moireau, General Manager, Arteco NV.
Building a Presence in India
While Arteco has long dominated Europe with a market share of over 30%, its entry into India came more recently, around 2010–2011, today holds about 9 – 10% market share among the organised players in the OEM and OES business in India. From its base in Pune and with two blending partners; one in Mumbai and the other in Chennai; Arteco today supplies a wide spectrum of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), oil companies, and chemical distributors across the country.
“India represents a fast-growing area for Arteco. We are present across passenger cars, heavy-duty trucks, and construction equipment, and this multi-segment presence makes our organization quite resilient,” Moireau explained.
The company’s strength lies in its ability to cater to different consumption patterns. Trucks and construction equipment, for instance, are larger consumers of coolant compared to buses, while passenger cars form a steady base. By diversifying across sectors, Arteco ensures that its growth is not overly dependent on the performance of one segment.
Strategy: R&D at the Core
Coolants are highly technical products, and Arteco invests significantly in research and development every year. This R&D focus spans traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) coolants as well as specialized solutions for electric vehicles (EVs).
“Our strategy starts with developing high-performance products and securing approvals from OEMs. Once approved, we leverage those products across multiple geographies, including India,” Moireau noted.
While Arteco does not sell directly to end consumers, its technology is often hidden behind familiar brands. Many private-label coolants sold by OEMs or oil companies in India and abroad are, in fact, powered by Arteco’s formulations. Globally, the company produces enough coolant annually to serve the equivalent of more than 60 million passenger vehicles.
The Sustainability Compass: Arteco ACT
Sustainability is now a central pillar of Arteco’s strategy. The company has formalized its efforts under Arteco ACT – short for Accelerate Change Together. This framework focuses on three key areas: climate action, smart use of resources, and people and community care. Moireau emphasized: “We don’t want sustainability to remain a slogan. ACT stands for action, because we truly want to reduce our environmental and social footprint.”
Arteco prides itself on being a workplace where employees feel safe, included, and motivated to grow. Last year, the company earned a Great Place to Work certification, reflecting its commitment to employee well-being. “Arteco is a company where people like to work and feel proud to belong. Diversity and inclusion are central to our culture, and we believe that drives innovation,” he said.
The company’s responsibility extends beyond its teams to the communities it operates in. In India, Arteco has partnered for nearly a decade with WOTR, an NGO dedicated to water resource management. This collaboration has helped local communities gain access to drinking water, improve agricultural resilience, and address water scarcity.
Smart Use of Resources & Climate Action
As part of its sustainability journey, Arteco pays close attention to water, packaging, and raw materials. Recognizing that the biggest impact lies in the materials it uses, the company has prioritized the development of eco-friendly product alternatives.
“We have launched our ECO Product Range, which incorporates base fluids linked to bio-based or recycled feedstocks, allocated through a certified mass balance approach. These coolants deliver a significantly reduced Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) compared to their virgin fossil-based equivalents while keeping the same trusted quality and performance. Every product is supported by life cycle assessments and carbon footprint data, ensuring full transparency,” he explained.
This range, set to be formally launched in September, offers customers the flexibility to choose the percentage of bio-based or recycled raw materials, balancing sustainability with cost considerations.
Arteco’s climate goals are ambitious. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions in its operations by 2030 and across its supply chain by 2050. “As we see climate change intensifying globally, we are committed to measurable and science-based actions. That’s why all our ECO products come with verified emission data,” said Moireau.
Coolants for the Future: Electric Vehicles
The rise of electric and fuel-cell vehicles presents fresh challenges for cooling systems. Arteco has already responded with specialized product ranges such as Freecor® EV Milli and Freecor® EV Micro. These solutions address requirements like lower conductivity for electric vehicles and ultra-low conductivity for fuel-cell applications.
“Good cooling is key to the performance of new energy vehicles. We are working closely with OEMs worldwide, including in India, to develop products that meet their evolving needs,” he highlighted. Interestingly, while some EVs continue to use traditional ICE coolants successfully, advanced applications demand next-generation formulations; an area where Arteco is investing heavily.
India: A Growth Engine
Despite global uncertainties, Arteco views India as a promising growth market. Local blending facilities ensure proximity to customers, supply chain efficiency, and competitive costs.
“Our production in India today is dedicated to the Indian market. The approach balances supply chain reliability and cost-effectiveness,” said Moireau.
The company’s goal over the next few years is to expand its local organization, strengthen partnerships with OEMs, and capture emerging opportunities in both ICE and EV applications.
What Sets Arteco Apart
In a competitive Indian market where domestic, regional, and international players vie for share, Arteco’s differentiation lies in its singular focus and expertise.
“We are probably the only company so specialized in coolants. That focus has made us the go-to partner for our customers, who value our technical support, manufacturing capabilities, and innovation,” Moireau said.
Arteco’s India journey is still unfolding, but its strategy is clear: combine global expertise with local execution, anchor growth on innovation and sustainability, and stay true to its specialization.
“In the end, our strength lies in our people, our partnerships, and our ability to anticipate the future. We want to deliver solutions that perform, protect the environment, and create value for society,” concluded Moireau.
