16 verified UK companies — industrial chemicals, minerals, pigments, and specialty compounds
Specialized chemical trading and distribution company operating in the UK market. DELF focuses on sourcing and supplying industrial chemical products to manufacturing and processing industries. The company serves as an intermediary link between global chemical producers and UK-based end users, offering procurement, logistics, and regulatory compliance support for chemical imports.
UK subsidiary of Ferro Corporation, a global producer of performance materials and chemical solutions. Ferro operates in pigments, colorants, and specialty glass and coatings. The UK entity manages the distribution of pigments, ceramic glazes, and electronic materials across the British Isles, serving the ceramics, coatings, and electronics manufacturing sectors.
UK-based mineral testing, processing, and trading company. First Test Minerals specializes in the sourcing, quality assessment, and supply of industrial minerals. The company provides mineral testing services alongside trade operations, ensuring compliance with industry standards for mineral purity, particle size, and chemical composition required by manufacturing clients.
Chemical distribution and supply company based in the UK. Halewood Chemicals serves a broad range of industries including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, manufacturing, and water treatment. The company offers an extensive portfolio of organic and inorganic chemicals, solvents, and specialty compounds, providing supply chain management and technical support to industrial customers.
Established UK chemical distribution group with expertise in specialty chemicals, polymers, and performance materials. The Hayman Group partners with leading global chemical manufacturers to supply products to the pharmaceutical, personal care, food, and industrial sectors. Known for technical knowledge, regulatory guidance, and reliable supply chain solutions across the UK and Ireland.
UK arm of Imerys S.A., the world-leading French multinational specializing in mineral-based specialty solutions. Imerys Minerals UK supplies industrial minerals including kaolin, calcium carbonates, bentonite, and talc to sectors such as ceramics, construction, paints, coatings, paper, and plastics. The company operates multiple processing facilities across the UK with a strong emphasis on sustainable mineral solutions.
UK-based manufacturer and supplier of industrial and marine protective coatings. International Paint produces high-performance anti-corrosive and anti-fouling paint systems for ships, offshore installations, and industrial structures. The company sources a range of chemical raw materials including resins, solvents, pigments, and additives used in the formulation of marine and protective coating products.
UK technology and chemical distribution company providing specialty materials to the manufacturing and construction sectors. Jemmtec supplies industrial chemicals, adhesives, sealants, and construction materials. The company focuses on technical product solutions, offering application support and product development services alongside its chemical distribution operations.
FTSE 100-listed British multinational specializing in sustainable technologies and specialty chemicals. Johnson Matthey is a global leader in catalysis, precious metals, and battery materials. The company imports and processes a wide range of chemical compounds, catalysts, and metals for automotive emission control, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical, and energy storage applications. Listed on the London Stock Exchange with operations in over 30 countries.
UK manufacturer of fresh handmade cosmetics and personal care products. Lush Manufacturing sources natural and synthetic cosmetic ingredients, essential oils, fragrances, and chemical compounds for the production of soaps, bath bombs, skincare, and haircare products. The company imports raw materials from global suppliers and maintains strict ethical sourcing and environmental standards across its supply chain.
UK chemical and raw materials trading company. Mekz operates in the procurement and distribution of industrial chemicals and specialty compounds to manufacturing clients. The company serves diverse sectors including coatings, adhesives, plastics, and construction, providing import, storage, and logistics services for chemical products sourced from international suppliers.
Long-established UK chemical and raw materials distributor. R A Watts supplies industrial chemicals, minerals, and specialty compounds to the manufacturing, ceramics, and construction industries. The company has built a reputation for reliable supply chain management and technical expertise in chemical procurement, serving both large industrial clients and smaller specialist manufacturers.
UK-based distributor of specialty chemicals and raw materials. Richard Baker Harrison focuses on supplying pigments, dyes, resins, and chemical intermediates to the coatings, inks, plastics, and adhesives industries. The company provides technical support and formulation advice alongside its chemical distribution services, operating as a key link between global chemical producers and UK manufacturers.
UK subsidiary of Sibelco, the global leader in industrial minerals. Sibelco UK supplies silica sand, kaolin, feldspar, and other industrial minerals to the glass, ceramics, construction, and foundry industries. With multiple quarries and processing plants across the UK, Sibelco is a major player in the British industrial minerals market, providing high-purity mineral products for demanding technical applications.
UK-based international chemical trading company. Stan Chem sources and distributes a broad range of industrial and specialty chemicals for the manufacturing, construction, and processing industries. The company maintains international supply partnerships and provides import, export, and logistics services for chemical products, serving clients across the UK and European markets.
UK company specializing in the extraction, processing, and supply of ball clays and kaolinitic clays. WBB Devon & Courtenay Clay Company operates clay mines and processing facilities in Devon, supplying high-quality ceramic clays to the tableware, sanitaryware, tiles, and refractories industries globally. The company is a recognized authority in the properties and applications of Devon ball clays.
| Company | Primary Sector | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| DELF (UK) LIMITED | Chemical Distribution | Trading Logistics |
| FERRO (GREAT BRITAIN) LIMITED | Pigments & Coatings | Colorants Ceramic Glazes Electronics |
| FIRST TEST MINERALS LTD | Minerals | Testing Processing Trading |
| HALEWOOD CHEMICALS LTD | Chemical Distribution | Solvents Specialty Chemicals Pharma |
| HAYMAN GROUP LIMITED | Specialty Chemicals | Polymers Pharma Personal Care |
| IMERYS MINERALS LIMITED | Industrial Minerals | Kaolin Calcium Carbonate Bentonite |
| INTERNATIONAL PAINT LTD | Marine Coatings | Anti-fouling Resins Pigments |
| JEMMTEC LTD | Chemical Distribution | Adhesives Sealants Construction |
| JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC | Sustainable Technology | Catalysts Precious Metals Battery Materials |
| LUSH MANUFACTURING LTD | Cosmetics | Essential Oils Fragrances Raw Materials |
| MEKZ LIMITED | Chemical Trading | Industrial Chemicals Plastics |
| R A WATTS LTD | Chemical Distribution | Industrial Chemicals Minerals |
| RICHARD BAKER HARRISON LTD | Specialty Chemicals | Pigments Dyes Resins |
| SIBELCO UK LIMITED | Industrial Minerals | Silica Sand Feldspar Kaolin |
| STAN CHEM INTERNATIONAL LTD | Chemical Trading | Import/Export Logistics |
| WBB DEVON & COURTENAY CLAY | Clay & Minerals | Ball Clay Kaolin Ceramics |
The 16 companies in this directory represent a cross-section of the UK chemical and mineral import sector. Industrial minerals form a significant cluster, with Imerys Minerals, Sibelco UK, WBB Devon & Courtenay, and First Test Minerals collectively covering kaolin, silica, feldspar, ball clay, and calcium carbonate — minerals essential to the ceramics, glass, construction, and coatings industries. The UK has historically been a major consumer and processor of industrial minerals, and these companies represent both domestic extraction and import operations.
The chemical distribution segment is represented by Hayman Group, Halewood Chemicals, Delf UK, Mekz, Stan Chem, and R A Watts — companies that serve as critical intermediaries between global chemical producers and UK manufacturers. These distributors provide essential supply chain services including procurement, warehousing, logistics, and regulatory compliance, particularly important in the post-Brexit regulatory environment where UK chemical importers face additional customs and REACH compliance requirements.
Johnson Matthey PLC stands out as the only publicly listed company (FTSE 100) in this group, with a market capitalization reflecting its global role in catalysis, hydrogen technologies, and battery materials — positioning it at the intersection of chemicals, energy transition, and advanced manufacturing. Lush Manufacturing represents the cosmetics and personal care end of the spectrum, importing botanical and synthetic raw materials for its fresh handmade product lines.
