1. Application of the specialty chemical
2. Frequency of the use of specialty chemicals
3. Properties of the specialty chemicals including composition and reactivity
4. Required quantity of the specialty chemicals
5. Types of chemicals provided by reputable fine chemical suppliers

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy chemicals from reputable specialty chemicals manufacturers

Once you know your specialty chemical requirements and have enough specialty chemicals information, check out products offered by reputable specialty chemical suppliers.

I recommend: Albemarle, a reputable chemical manufacturer, supplies fine chemicals to the manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and pharmaceutical products. GFS Chemicals is another specialty chemicals manufacturer that offers organic as well as inorganic chemicals for industrial and laboratory applications. Cytec Industries, a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals, offers a variety of chemicals to the producers of adhesives, coatings, inks and dyes.

Buy specialty chemicals from reputable distributors of chemicals

You can buy specialty chemicals from reputable chemical distributors. You can also compare specialty chemicals based on their features and prices at distributors' websites.

I recommend: Tri-iso is specialty chemicals distributor that offers additives and resins for the manufacturers of paints, adhesives and sealants. Univar Specialties, a division of Univar, distributes specialty chemicals by reputable manufacturers such as Cytec Industries, Solvay and AKZO Nobel. ChemPoint is another reputable distributor of fine and specialty chemicals. You can also buy specialty chemicals at International Specialty Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, a chemical distributor serving pharmaceutical companies.

Search custom and toll companies that can manufacture specialty chemicals for your requirements

Some custom and toll companies can develop and manufacture specialty chemicals as per your chemical formulations. However, check out the toll manufacturer's credentials to ensure the confidentiality of your specialty chemicals and the manufacturing process.

I recommend: BE & Associates, a specialty chemicals manufacturer, provides toll and custom processing services. You can also check out the contract manufacturing services offered by Applied Laboratories. Aurora Fine Chemicals, another fine chemical manufacturer, offers custom organic synthesis services. Advanced Synthesis provides synthesis services to the manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, fragrances and flavors.

Consult an expert for manufacturing and using specialty chemicals

As specialty chemicals have different formulations and properties than industrial chemicals, you must consult experts or reputable manufacturers for designing specialty chemicals and the manufacturing processes.

I recommend: You can search a fine and specialty chemicals expert at Intota, an expert consultancy firm. You can also check out services offered by Chicago Chem Consultants, another company involved in chemical process design and development. Ciba also offers expert advice and training programs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sign a confidentiality agreement with the toll manufacturers to maintain the confidentiality about formulation and manufacturing process of your specialty chemicals.
• •  Consult the specialty chemicals producer about storing and handling specialty chemicals.

Guide to Using Fine and Specialty Chemicals

Knowing more about fine and specialty chemicals can improve your processing and product lines

By Emily Lugg

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use specialty chemicals to improve your processing or product line

While your adhesives or cleaning products may be efficient, are they the best they can be? Do your laboratory tests produce fast and accurate results? Maybe, but are they the fastest and most accurate they can be? Specialty chemicals manufacturing can help you improve your business and the satisfaction of your customers. If you are using chemicals in your laboratory or plant facility that anyone can order and that are produced in mass quantities, consider if a special formulation or a hard-to-find ingredient may improve your processing times or finished product efficiency.

I recommend: Companies like Waters can help you to analyze your current chemical practices and determine what specialty chemicals you can benefit from. Hexion discusses its ability to work with you on one of their many product lines -- wood composite binders.

Use products from specialty chemicals manufacturers carefully and safely

In some cases all it takes is a spill or adding too much of a certain chemical to create a dangerous situation. All employees should be trained at length about how to properly handle and use fine and specialty chemicals. Some of these solutions may be heavily concentrated, making them even more delicate by the drop. Establish a plan with employees, too, for what to do in the case of a chemical emergency.

I recommend: Ace Hardware has some tips for the safe use of chemicals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an excellent resource for preparing your employees to handle any chemical emergency that may come their way.

Use the knowledge of specialty chemical suppliers to ensure you receive the proper fine chemicals

Fine chemical suppliers have a wealth of knowledge that you should use to make sure you are supplied with the correct fine and specialty chemicals for your business. The more they are informed about your intentions for the chemicals, the better they can assist you to find the right match. Be sure to include them in product discussions when their manufactured chemicals are in question.

I recommend: Chem Point outlines their services and availability to their customers. BASF Catalysts explains how its process works in order to determine the correct fine and specialty chemicals for you.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember when including fine and specialty chemical suppliers in your innovation process to have a confidentiality agreement in place prior to the discussions.

Guide to Fine and Specialty Chemicals Education and Training

Jump start your career with fine and specialty chemicals education and training

By Emily Lugg

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find colleges and universities with programs in specialty chemicals

Having a higher education degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry can help you to excel in either specialty chemicals manufacturing or in a field that requires using specialty chemicals for applications. Institutions all over the country have rigorous programs to make you an expert.

I recommend: The University of Nevada at Reno explains their specialized Chemistry majors and minors. Academic Info can help you decide whether a degree in Chemical Engineering is right for you.

Research different programs and learn about specialty chemicals online

Online learning is a convenient method of education for specialty chemicals manufacturers. There are many online programs available; you will be able to find a program that best suits your interests easily. Another benefit of online learning is that you can take classes from online universities no matter where you are geographically located which opens up more opportunities for your fine and specialty chemicals education and training.

I recommend: World Wide Learn gives an overview of some online Chemical Engineering degree programs. Learn 4 Good takes you through the process of online learning.

Attend specialty chemicals seminars and network with likeminded professionals

Professional seminars are a good way to connect with specialty chemicals producers and others in the field in order to further your fine and specialty chemicals education and training. Being able to learn directly from others in the same business is an irreplaceable opportunity. Attending specific seminars also allows you to pick and choose specific topics to expand your knowledge.

I recommend: The Chemical Engineering Department at California Technical Institute has an ongoing seminar series consisting of a wide variety of topics. Scientific institutes such as Monell also offer seminar series.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When planning your fine and specialty chemicals education and training it is important to take into account the continuing education that may be required. With new technology and innovation it is important to always keep up with the latest in specialty chemicals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Reagent

A chemical reagent is a substance that is consumed by a chemical reaction. A reagent is often used as a test substance to see if a chemical or chemical compound will react to the reagent.

I recommend: Invitrogen provides a guide featuring the common reagents used in cell culturing.

Chemical composition

The chemical composition of any substance is the amount of ingredients within the chemical compound. The chemical composition is based on what chemicals are present in a single unit cell.

I recommend: Think Quest provides equations and examples to find the chemical composition of any compound.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)

Active pharmaceutical ingredients are specialty chemicals used to create many pharmaceutical products.

I recommend: The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides information on regulations that apply to businesses manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Organic specialty chemicals

Organic specialty chemicals are sets of chemicals used in advanced processes that include distillation, neutralization and corrosion control. Organic chemicals are used in a wide range of products, from cosmetics and food to biofuels and chemicals for the oil industry.

I recommend: Cosmos Plastics & Chemicals provides material safety data sheets on a number of the most common specialty organic chemicals.

Polymer additives

Polymer additives are specialty chemicals that provide a stabilizing agent to many chemical compounds. Polymer additives also help with absorbing UV light and preventing photodegradation.

I recommend: Cytec provides safety information, FDA status and other specifications on many types of polymer additives for use in stabilization chemistry.

Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance that is used to increase the rate of reaction between two or more chemicals. The amount of a catalyst used is usually very small to prevent the catalyst from being consumed by the reaction.

I recommend: BASF provides information on choosing fine and specialty chemicals that work as catalysts in specific chemical compounds.