Pricing and Costs of Chemical Equipment and Supplies

Chemical supplies and equipment are priced according to size and sold in bulk
By Virginia Franco, Freelance Writer Those in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, beverages, oil and gas, cosmetics or petrochemical industry know the importance of purchasing safe and durable chemical equipment and supplies. Whether purchasing equipment, supplies or the chemicals themselves, they can be bought in bulk.
 

The pricing and costs of chemical equipment and supplies depends on a variety of factors. Chemical suppliers price the chemicals according to weight. The equipment that handles and stores these chemicals is priced according to its composite material as well as its storage capacity. Custom equipment, such as a chemical reactor, is priced according to so many factors that specific cost estimates can only be obtained via personal contact with a sales associate. This article will summarize pricing with regard to the following three chemical equipment and supply categories.

1. Buy chemistry supplies like compounds and solutions.

2. Buy chemical equipment for handling and storage.

3. Consider custom chemical equipment and supplies if standard products do not meet your application needs.

Compare chemical supply store prices for compounds and solutions

Chemical solutions and compounds can be sold by the pound and in bulk. The price range is widely varying, with some chemicals costing less than 50 cents per pound and others more than $1.50. For others you must contact the supplier directly for pricing information. Bulk purchases are sold by the drum or tote.
Try: New Life Chemical and Equipment sells a variety of chemicals by the drum or tote in large quantities. Pricing details are listed on a spreadsheet. Pressure Chemical sells similar chemicals, but will not reveal pricing on its website.

Purchase chemical lab equipment for handling and storage

When it comes to handling hazardous chemicals, the correct lab equipment is critical. Many who routinely work with chemicals rely on poly-coated glass bottles, which absorb some of the shock in an accident by reducing the chance of shattering. Poly-coated glass bottles vary in price according to size and the chemicals they are designed to hold. When the chemicals are not nearly as dangerous, it's safe to handle them in non-coated glass beakers and cylinders that are much less expensive than their poly-coated counterparts.
Try: VWR International sells poly-coated glass bottles ranging in size from 500 grams to four liters. A smaller bottle can be purchased for less than $100, with larger bottles for more than $600 per caseload. Hi Valley Chemical carries inventory of glassware including cylinders, beakers and funnels. Depending on size, beakers generally cost less than $10 each, funnels and cylinders less than $50.

Search for an online chemical store to custom make items to meet your application needs

Depending on the size you require, the style and pressure rating you are looking for, it may be necessary to customize any reactor your business purchases. If you can't find what you need on the market, have it made to suit your needs.
Try: While Custom Chemical Equipment (CEMCO) offers standard chemical equipment, they also design custom reactors and claim to do so at a reasonable price. In addition to selling agitators, compressors and other process equipment, Pressure Products also custom designs stirred reactors and non-stirred pressure vessels ranging in size from 10 mL to 4000 L and pressure ratings to 150,000 psi. They manufacture tubular, single-ended and double-ended styles. Like Custom Chemical, they must be contacted to provide a quote.

• If you are looking to purchase chemical equipment, consider two ways to economize. Earn money by locating a supplier to purchase any chemical equipment you no longer need. Save money by purchasing used chemical process equipment and supplies.