Public Environmental Data
2024 is the first year in which Libra’s full carbon emissions have been calculated.
Libra Speciality Chemicals
The UK’s LeadingManufacturer & Global Distributor of Surfactants, Speciality Chemicals & Contract Toll Services
Manchester, UK
Our Accreditations
View certificatesAbout us
Providing high quality products and services to the chemical industry since 1971
Based in Manchester, UK, Libra Speciality Chemicals are a leading UK chemical manufacturer and global distributor of surfactants and speciality industrial chemicals. Our chemicals are supplied into various industrial markets including Personal Care, Household & Institutional Cleaning and Industrial sectors including Energy Extraction, Agriculture, Lubricants, Metal Working and Coatings markets.
Our five-acre manufacturing site, based on the Northbank Industrial Estate in Irlam, Manchester is within easy access of the M6, M62 and M60 motorways. This has given us ideal transport links to service our customers around the UK and to export our multi-award winning service to global markets.
- 1971
- Providing products and services to the chemical industry since 1971
- 5 acres
- Manufacturing site in Irlam, Manchester
- 15 + 9
- Mixing vessels and reactors available as part of our contract and toll service
- Betaine
- One of the largest betaine manufacturing capacities globally
Our products
Our range of speciality surfactants and chemicals
From our Manchester (UK) site, we have been producing and developing a wide range of speciality surfactants for over 50 years, all with different properties and purposes in chemical formulations. As primary, secondary and co-surfactants in formulations, our surfactants can act as foaming agents, detergents, emulsifiers, dispersing agents and more.
- Amphoteric
Librateric Betaines
Our Librateric Cocamidopropyl Betaines (CAB) are high-quality surfactants manufactured…
- Amphoteric
Librateric Low Salt Betaine
Our Librateric Low-Salt Betaines are innovative surfactants with global applications…
- Amphoteric
Librateric Amphoteric Surfactants
Our Librateric Amphoterics are highly versatile are compatible with various different types of surfactants…
- Nonionic
Libranox Amine Oxides
Our Libranox series of amine oxide surfactants are highly compatible, non-ionic…
- Nonionic
Libranol Alkanolamides
Our Libranol Alkanolamides are a range of highly compatible, non-ionic…
- Nonionic
LibraCare Alkyl Polyglucosides (APG)
Our LibraCare Alkyl Polyglucoside range of readily biodegradable surfactants…
- Nonionic
Libranone Alcohol Ethoxylates
Our range of Alcohol Ethoxylates have excellent properties for supporting…
- Anionic
Libratex Dioctyl Sulphosuccinates
Our Libratex range are compatible with other anionic and nonionic surfactants…
- Anionic
Libraphos Phosphate Esters
Our Libraphos series of free-acid phosphate esters are anionic surfactants…
- Anionic
Libradet Formulated Products
Our Libradet range are a synergistic blend of surfactants and foam stabilisers…
- Cationic
Libraquat PQ7: Polyquaternium-7
Our Libraquat PQ7 surfactant is a water soluble copolymer with excellent cleaning…
- Specialised
Libra Specialised Surfactants
Our Libra range of specialised surfactants have specific properties and applications…
Industrial sectors
Speciality chemicals and surfactants for a range of global industries
Libra manufacture and distribute our chemicals globally as well as working with customers to develop and manufacture their portfolio for their required industries.
Personal Care
Libra have an extensive portfolio of high-quality surfactants for Personal Care markets. From cosmetic products to toiletries, our formulations will help meet your growing customer demands.
HI & I Cleaning
Libra have extensive experience with Home, Industrial & Institutional (HI&I) Cleaning formulations. We have the formula for your success within global specialist cleaning markets.
Agriculture
Libra’s speciality product portfolio can be utilised for agrochemical products like Emulsifiers or Dispersing Agents, offering a solution for your continued success within agriculture markets.
Energy Extraction
Our range of surfactants are supplied for specialist, sustainable and accredited Energy Extraction products for Oil & Gas Fields. Libra offer expert products that benefit our customers and the industry.
Industrial Sectors
From general use to speciality requirements, we offer the solution for success in varying industrial sectors: industrial lubricants and metal works, water treatment, building and construction, and textiles.
Made in Manchester (UK)
Distributed around the world
Libra provide a bespoke, total chemical manufacturing and supply solution to meet your company’s needs.
News & Resources
Latest News
Librateric: Coco-Betaine, CB 35
Formulators today need surfactants that offer mildness, reliability, and flexibility without compromising performance.
Sunscreen Formulations
Following our recent post on Libranol 1618 (30:70), we have developed an SPF 30 sunscreen formulation guide to show how it can be used in a full system.