Raw Chemical Suppliers - UK

As a spin-off from (there was a url link here which no longer exists) I started, it seems like a good idea to try and compile a list of current suppliers of raw chemicals in the UK.

I am therefore seeking some feedback from APUG members about companies they have dealt with, or know about, who are able to supply raw chemicals for photographic use - in the UK only at this stage please. I know that the US is far better served than we are, but export/import is fraught with problems, if allowed at all.

This would not only include those suppliers that are solely 'photographic' (e.g. Silverprint or Nova Darkroom), but also general chemical suppliers.

Many chemical companies will not supply to individuals; you have to be an established company yourself in order to get an account with them. These should be included, with the restriction noted, as many of us may be able to utilise them I'm sure.

My reason for offering to do this is a result of my own experiences in returning to the traditional photo-world in the last year or so, where I soon discovered that many of the materials I wanted to use were no longer readily available. I had been spoilt by working in research labs most of my life and ordering anything I needed that the comprehensive stores didn't already hold!
Suppliers I had personally used in the past (like Rayco) have ceased to exist and there were only a couple of obvious alternatives (already listed above). When I started out, back in the 1960s, my local pharmacist would always order chemicals I needed. These days I don't think there are many that would do that - maybe there are?

Please reply to this thread if you know of any suppliers I can add to the list, which will be compiled and published here and elsewhere.

Retrophotographic supply a fair amount of photographic chemicals.
But you are right a lot of former suppliers no longer exist.
Regards
John Roberts

Just thought I'd reply in case you think that UK APUGers aren't interested in what you are trying to do. Frankly I think my interest might remain very limited but if it grows it's nice to know what's out there. I can't add anything to what John Roberts has said. Retro and Siverprint are the only two I am aware of. It might be worth adding however that Retro has no minimum quantity stipulation for mail order as far as I am aware which can be helpful if the customer needs only a small quantity of maybe only one or two items.

Again and only as maybe a point of interest, I understood and had it confirmed by Ian Grant at the Ilford tour that a guy in Derby, I think, had bought the right to trade as RAYCO when RAYCO , based in Barnsley went "belly-up" but he appears to have done nothing with his business venture.

I can't now recall any more details about him so wouldn't have a clue as to how to contact him. It's a long shot but if he were aware of APUG and could gauge the interest, assuming there is enough interest, it might help him decide whether to launch anything. As things stand I suspect that if he hasn't launched by now he never will unless he sees an interest and believes he can compete with the other two known stockists.

pentaxuser

Hi Pentaxuser, there is link somewhere with a phone number for the guy who bought the rights to Rayco, I know how to find it but it's too late now for him to resurrect the business. I don't know the full history of Rayco but they were originally based in Aldershot and made enlarger timers, voltage stabilisers etc, I have one of their timers. The original company was set up sometime in the 50, and was later sold to a chemists in Barnsley, presumably when the owner retired, the company had stopped making equipment.

I approached Rayco to discuss possibly taking them over, but was too late by a day or two. Steve who worked for the chemists was in charge of Rayco, but it wasn't a full time job, the chemists wanted the space for something else and deliberately ran the stock levels down so far that Steve had problems filling orders.

If I still lived in the UK I'd would start selling Photo chemicals, I used to buy many items in bulk for a previous job, Sodium Carbonate in 100kg batches, Borax by the metric tonne etc and can source any chemical at reasonable bulk prices. When Hogg Laboratory Supplies stopped selling specialist Photo Chemicals I bought what was left of their stocks so I have a base to start from.

There is a reasonable profit to be made selling photo chemicals in the UK. It just needs someone with the right chemistry background & knowledge to do it.

Ian

Process Supplies in London sell bulk Citric Acid, i bought 5kg the other day for £16 ex vat, great price considering silverprint sell 500g for £10! I go through a lot of this stuff so it works out really good for me, There telephone number is 0207 837 2179

Davec101 said:

Process Supplies in London sell bulk Citric Acid, i bought 5kg the other day for £16 ex vat, great price considering silverprint sell 500g for £10! I go through a lot of this stuff so it works out really good for me, There telephone number is 0207 837 2179

Click to expand...

...well it's actually 6.90 + VAT for 500g. Just to explain where we at Silverprint came from with raw chemistry - we originally bought most of our chemicals pre-packed from Rayco, but started packing some, such as silver nitrate ourselves, as Rayco didn't cater to them at a realistic price. When Rayco folded, we took over where they left off, and our pricing is basically as theirs was, reflecting packing in good containers with quality labeling. Our top size until recently was 500g, but in the last months we started to do larger packs at lower unit prices. I've just put in 2.5 kg citric acid at 8.40 + VAT. For any others not already on the site in bulk please let me know.

Thanks Martin, that's very helpful, you're obviously selling a lot more raw chemicals than you used to and the range has improved significantly since Rayco's demise. I'll certainly buy more chemicals off you in the future particularly now you're offering larger quantities.

Ian

Martin, that's good to know, thanks for joining in. There is no doubt that Silverprint cater for the majority of needs in the raw chemical arena, and I know that you will always consider requests for compounds that are not on your list.
I was just interested to see if there is anyone else out there these days offering raw chemicals - seems like there maybe isn't, apart from Retro.

I came across this listing on the Zone 8 Photographic web site (which quaintly retains the spirit of pioneer web design of the mid 1990s!). It's reasonably comprehensive and lists all those that I know of, plus a few I was not aware of.

Rose Chemicals in London will supply individuals; e-mail or telephone to check their availability and prices. Quite a comprehensive list of chemicals, including lead and mercury salts which most suppliers won't sell. http://www.rose-chemicals.co.uk/

I think an up-to-date list would be very useful for alt. workers etc.

Thanks Kevin, that's exactly the kind of information I was hoping we would turn up here!

Not only that, but Rose Chemicals happens to be in the same road that my son lives in Hackney - I will be calling on them next time I'm down there.