Since 1939, Bardahl innovations have defied the laws of planned obsolescence by extending the lifespan of machinery.
In the 1930s, Norwegian engineer Ole Bardahl developed a revolutionary lubrication method based on the principle of polarization. This innovation was so miraculous that it was classified as a “defense secret” by the US military until the end of World War II.
It was in Seattle (USA) en 1939 that the story of one of the greatest post-war automotive brands began.
In 1954, Jean Leplat, who worked in the family textile factory, became the brand's exclusive distributor in France. His son, Dominique Leplat, took over the reins in 1970. In 1991, the partnership between Dominique Leplat and Evelyne Bardahl, daughter of Ole Bardahl, transformed SADAPS BARDAHL into a producer for the whole of Europe.
Since then, SADAPS Bardahl has continued to grow with national and international innovations, remaining a benchmark brand for private individuals, professionals, and top athletes.
70th Anniversary of SADAPS Bardahl and Launch of a New Range of PLASMA Oils.
Launch of the plant-based formula: PLASMA
Global Sponsorship of Sébastien Loeb Racing.
Acquisition of SINEO (eco-friendly cleaners).
Close passing of Ole Bardahl and Jean Leplat. Partnership with Bardahl US: SADAPS becomes SADAPS Bardahl Corporation SA.
SADAPS becomes the exclusive distributor for all of France.
Creation of SADAPS by Jean Leplat and René Vandendriessche.
Creation of Bardahl in the USA by Ole Bardahl.
Founded in 1954 in Roubaix, in northern France, Sadaps Bardahl experienced rapid growth that quickly outgrew its premises. In 1991, the company naturally moved to a larger factory in Leers. It continued to grow and reached a new milestone in 2003 when it transferred its activities to Tournai, Belgium.
Located not far from the city of Lille, Sadaps Bardahl continued its momentum and accelerated its growth in the 2010s. This development enabled it to invest in new buildings, expanding its facilities by several thousand square meters. The company currently occupies 29.300m² of land, including its administrative headquarters and its main production and storage sites.
In 2024, the company has had a record year with sales exceeding €165 million representing growth of more than 400% in just 13 years, mainly driven by internal growth (new employees) and a very wide range of finished products with no fewer than 5.000 items.
Today, the Bardahl brand is present on five continents and its products are marketed in more than 110 countries. It has production facilities in the United States, France, Belgium, Italy, Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil.
Founded in 1954, SADAPS Bardahl designs and distributes high-performance chemical products for the automotive, industrial, DIY, transportation, agricultural, marine, and motorcycle markets (additives, lubricants, adhesives, detergents, mechanical maintenance and care products, bodywork, windshield washer fluid, coolant, etc.).
It also manufactures these same products for major car manufacturers (Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, VW Group France, Ford, Fiat Group France, etc.). SADAPS develops the Bardahl brand in more than 60 countries.
Bardahl stands out for its exclusive use of patented formulas, ensuring superior quality and unmatched reliability. Our products, tested on vehicles and machines in real-world conditions, guarantee optimal performance. As a benchmark in the automotive, industrial, and aerospace sectors, Bardahl also excels in motor racing and boat racing. With factories in eight countries and an extensive sales network, our range of lubricants, additives, and specialty products is distributed in more than 110 countries, embodying our global commitment to quality and innovation.
Bardahl's Polar Plus formula provides long-lasting engine protection by reducing wear and maintaining optimal efficiency. Its polar molecules attach themselves to metal surfaces, forming a protective barrier against internal friction.
This exclusive formula combines unique active ingredients that reduce friction between moving metal parts minimizing wear and corrosion. The protection consists of a lubricating film and a layer of polar molecules that act like micro-magnets, adhering firmly to surfaces to create a stable and durable barrier.
The fullerene technology incorporated into Bardahl lubricants uses C60 fullerene molecules that act like micro ball bearings to create lasting anti-friction protection.
These molecules, composed of 60 carbon atoms organized in a three-dimensional structure, minimize engine wear and corrosion by reducing friction between metal surfaces. Awarded a Nobel Prize in 1996, this innovation allows Bardahl to harness the potential of fullerene to deliver maximum efficiency and extend engine life.
Bardahl is the first lubricant manufacturer to incorporate this unique technology, the result of many years of research and development, offering an advanced and effective protection formula.
Faced with current environmental and societal challenges, Bardahl launched a 100% biotech technology in 2022: BARDAHL PLASMA. This innovation combines plasma induction with plant-based molecules, enhancing their resistance and durability.
Plasma improves the molecular bonds of vegetable oils, creating high-performance hydrocarbon-free additives that are anti-wear, high-pressure, and friction-modifying. BARDAHL PLASMA is therefore a sustainable solution for the automotive industry, as well as for industry, marine, agriculture, and other sectors.
In the early 1960s, laboratory research results from York Research gave a major boost to Bardahl product sales. Based on comprehensive tests of the most popular engine lubricants on the American market, researchers found that Bardahl products reduce engine wear by up to 40%. After that, the brand became the market leader in the United States.
In the early 1960s, laboratory research results from York Research gave a major boost to Bardahl product sales. Based on comprehensive tests of the most popular engine lubricants on the American market, researchers found that Bardahl products reduce engine wear by up to 40%. After that, the brand became the market leader in the United States.
