Since 1939, Ole Bardahl has pioneered our innovative journey in Seattle. Led by Dominique Leplat since the 1960s, our quest for excellence in lubricants has gone global.
The story of one of the largest post-war industrial brands begins in 1939 in Seattle (United States), when Ole Bardahl developed a revolutionary engine lubricant.
After founding the Bardahl Manufacturing Corporation, this engineer of Norwegian origin optimized his formula by testing it in competitions, until his product became the number one seller on the American market in the 1960s.
The adventure continued in 1954 when Jean Leplat, who worked in his father-in-law's textile factory, proposed to the American brand to become the exclusive distributor in France. His son, Dominique Leplat, took over the brand in 1970. In 1991, Dominique Leplat and Evelyne Bardahl (daughter of Ole Bardahl) partnered, and SADAPS Bardahl became the producer, among other things, for all of Europe.
Since then, SADAPS Bardahl has continuously progressed thanks to its innovations and product developments, both on its national and international markets. The Bardahl brand remains a benchmark brand, for individuals, professionals, and high-level athletes alike.
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.
Bardahl's Polar Plus formula ensures durable engine protection by reducing wear and maintaining optimal efficiency. Its polar molecules attach to metal surfaces, forming a protective barrier against internal friction. This exclusive formula combines active principles that reduce friction between moving metal parts, thus minimizing wear and corrosion. The protection consists of a lubricating film and a layer of polar molecules acting like micro-magnets, adhering firmly to surfaces to create a stable and durable barrier.
Fullerene technology, integrated into Bardahl lubricants, utilizes C60 fullerene molecules that act like micro-ball bearings to create long-lasting anti-friction protection. These molecules, made up of 60 carbon atoms arranged 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 leverage the potential of fullerene to offer maximum efficiency and extend engine life. Bardahl is the first lubricant manufacturer to incorporate this unique technology, resulting from years of research and development, thus providing an advanced and effective protection formula.
In response to 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 additives free from hydrocarbons, which are anti-wear, high-pressure, and friction modifiers. BARDAHL PLASMA is thus a sustainable solution for the automotive industry, as well as for industry, marine, agriculture, and other sectors.
Bardahl stands out through the exclusive use of patented formulas, ensuring superior quality and unmatched reliability. Our products, tested on vehicles and machinery in real conditions, guarantee optimal efficiency. As a benchmark in automotive, industry, and aerospace, Bardahl also excels in automotive and nautical competition. With factories in 8 countries and an extensive commercial network, our range of lubricants, additives, and specialized products is distributed in more than 110 countries, embodying our global commitment to quality and innovation.
The extraordinary efficiency and innovative nature of Bardahl's Polar Plus formula earned it a place under military secrecy during World War II.
Indeed, it provided a significant advantage to American military pilots as it allowed them time to perform an emergency landing without the engine seizing, even in the event of a leak in the oil tank.
