Defense and security programs don’t leave much room for improvisation. Materials must perform in harsh conditions, supply has to stay dependable across long lifecycles, and documentation needs to hold up in audits and qualification processes.
Telko has long supported demanding industrial applications – and we also have experience working with defense sector customers. Here are six concrete reasons why Telko is a credible, comprehensive partner for organizations with very specific requirements.
If a material grade becomes unavailable, you need a technically equivalent alternative that still meets the specifications and can be validated efficiently.
Telko has a wide, established portfolio across plastics, chemicals and lubricants, backed by global sourcing and long-term representation of leading suppliers. That breadth gives you:
In plastics, we provide advanced engineering polymers for mission-critical components where durability, light weighting and thermal stability matter. Our portfolio features materials from major suppliers such as DuPont, Eurotec, ExxonMobil, Hexpol, Kolon, LG Chem, Lotte and TotalEnergies.
"In modern defence systems, weight is a strategic factor. Advanced plastics allow us to reduce mass without compromising strength and deliver mechanical performance that stands up to the toughest operational environments", says Petteri Martikainen, Vice President of Plastics at Telko.
In chemicals, Telko supplies specialty solutions, such as coatings, adhesives and maintenance chemicals, and environmental safety products.
"We also offer high standard raw materials for the manufacturing of explosives", adds Niko Nilsen, Vice President of Chemicals.
On the lubricants side, Telko delivers metalworking fluids, cleaners and corrosion protection to support both manufacturing and upkeep.
In defense supply chains, what matters is not only product performance but also controlled processes and responsible operations.
Telko’s documented foundation includes:
Our credentials help customers and procurement organizations with supplier qualification packages, ESG assessments and routine audits. This means less back-and-forth when evidence is needed and less “paperwork drag” for engineering teams.
Many defense projects are governed by requirements that go beyond standard industrial norms – from OEM specifications to NATO/MIL-related frameworks.
Telko supports requirements assurance by helping you:
As an example of how structured these environments can be, NATO quality assurance standards such as AQAP build on ISO 9001 and add further requirements for defense-oriented supply chains. In practice, that often translates into a strong focus on traceability, documented controls and clear evidence that suppliers can consistently deliver what the program specifies.
In mission-critical applications, material selection is rarely just about choosing a catalogue grade and placing an order. Rather, it’s a balance of performance, manufacturability, service life, exposure conditions and compliance expectations.
"The application knowledge in our team provides extra benefits beyond the features of our high-performance lubricants. This is crucial when selecting products for manufacturing and extreme operating conditions", says Per Rosenberg, Vice President of Lubricants at Telko.
Telko helps translate application needs into workable material and formulation choices and then assembles audit-ready compliance packs. Depending on your program, support can include:
Even the best materials create risk if they don’t arrive reliably, in the right format, to the right place. This is especially true in multi-country operations or when you support both production and maintenance.
Telko’s logistics capabilities include:
The goal is simple: reduce disruption risk and avoid last-minute substitutions that can trigger revalidation work.
Defense programs are long-term and often distributed across sites, countries and teams. Local responsiveness matters, but so does continuity.
Telko secures local support and supply continuity through offices, warehouses and people across the Nordics, Baltics, Poland, Germany and the Benelux, with further reach beyond these core markets. Telko serves over 7,000 customers through a network of around 360 employees in 18 countries, with sales to more than 30 countries.
What’s more, Telko is part of Aspo Plc (listed on Nasdaq Helsinki), which adds stability that many customers value in strategic partnerships.
Credibility in defense is earned through consistency in quality, documentation, delivery and support.
Telko combines a broad portfolio in plastics, chemicals and lubricants with certified management systems, requirements assurance, technical support and a logistics network built for continuity. If you’d like to discuss a specific application – and what it takes to qualify materials and documentation for it – we’re ready to help.
Want to know more? Download our brochure: Advanced plastics, chemicals and lubricants for demanding military applications