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70 YEARS OF
RIGHT
CHEMISTRY

Founded 1950s Based in St. Louis, MO Ships Worldwide Metals AL / BR / CU / MG / ZN / AU / AG
Our History

THE COMPANY
BEHIND THE
CHEMISTRY

LaFrance Manufacturing has been formulating specialty products for metal casting operations since the 1950s. We were early pioneers in water-extendable emulsions to replace solvent-based die parting agents.

Today our formulations serve operations across the globe. We work with your team to identify the right product for optimum results.

The Frankote ceramic coating series came out of a recognized gap in the market: foundry operations needed ladle and furnace surface protection that could withstand sustained thermal cycling without degrading. Conventional coatings fell short. Our ceramic-based chemistry filled that gap.

Today, the same direct approach that characterized the company's founding guides how we work. When a customer calls with a casting challenge, they reach our technical people — not a distributor who will forward the inquiry.

// Company milestones

1950s
Founded in St. Louis LaFrance Manufacturing established to serve the growing metal casting industry in the Midwest and beyond.
1970s
Water-based lubricant development First commercially viable water-extendable die release lubricants developed in response to the oil crisis — an industry-wide shift LaFrance helped lead.
1980s
Frankote ceramic series launched Introduction of ceramic-based protective coatings for ladles and furnace surfaces — meeting a need conventional chemistry couldn't address.
2000s
International expansion Formulations reach casting operations worldwide. Direct customer relationships and technical support extended across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Today
Ceramic-based innovations continue New ceramic formulations for exotic aluminum alloys and high-heat producing dies added to the Franlube series — the latest development in an ongoing program.
COMPANY PROFILE
FOUNDED1950s
HEADQUARTERSSt. Louis, MO
DISTRIBUTIONWorldwide
METALS SERVEDAL / BR / CU / MG
ZN / AU / AG
PRODUCT LINES4 Core Series
FORMULATION TYPEProprietary
CHEMISTRYWater-based & Ceramic
ENV. FOCUSLow-VOC Since 1970s

// Direct Contact

Mark — LaFrance Manufacturing

(314) 298-2662 Send a Message
Three things we won't compromise

THREE THINGS
WE DON'T COMPROMISE ON

We've been doing this long enough to know what matters. These aren't mission statement words — they're the decisions we make every day when we develop a formulation, take a call, or recommend a product.

01 /

PROPRIETARY FORMULATIONS

Our product series are developed and refined in-house. Not commodity chemistry rebranded under our name — formulations that address the specific casting chemistries and process conditions that off-the-shelf products don't reach.

02 /

TECHNICAL PARTNERSHIP

We work directly with your engineering and production teams. That means understanding your alloy, your die geometry, your cycle times, and your finish requirements before we recommend anything. If our standard product isn't right for your process, we'll say so.

03 /

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Pioneers in water-based, low-VOC formulations since the 1970s — long before it was an industry talking point. We were committed to sustainable product development because it was the right direction for the chemistry and the right direction for the industry.

Delivering the right product for every alloy.
Contact LaFrance