Research Products International

What Research Products International does

Research Products International (RPI) is a US-based, privately held catalog distributor of biochemicals and laboratory supplies founded in 1970 and headquartered at 410 E Business Center Drive, Mount Prospect, Illinois. The company sells an extensive range of research-grade products — antibiotics, biochemical reagents (acrylamide, agarose, amino acids, carbohydrates, dyes, electrophoresis reagents, enzymes, scintillation cocktails, and others), biological buffers, growth media (powder, granulated, capsulated, liquid), laboratory supplies (balances, pipettes, centrifuges, incubators, plasticware, safety equipment), and molecular biology reagents — to research laboratories, universities, biotech firms, and pharmaceutical companies. RPI also distributes Zymo-branded molecular biology products as a sub-brand line.

The business model is transactional one-time-purchase product sales conducted exclusively through direct channels: an owned e-commerce storefront at rpicorp.com featuring a Quick Order Pad for repeat buyers, plus toll-free telephone and fax ordering during US business hours. Pricing is unit-based with volume-tiered discounts and a New Lab Discount program targeted at early-stage and relocating labs; list prices are publicly visible and range from under $20 for common reagents to over $3,500 for capital equipment such as precision balances. There are no channel partners, resellers, marketplace listings, or international operations disclosed.

RPI holds a verified EcoVadis sustainability rating placing it in the top 20% of companies evaluated (2026) and uses that credential in its competitive positioning. Distribution is domestic-only with no APIs, SDKs, AI/ML capabilities, or disclosed technology partnerships. Customer acquisition leans on SEO-optimized product catalog pages, a LinkedIn corporate presence, and conversion through the e-commerce site, rather than field sales or outbound marketing.

Name

Research Products International

Legal name

Research Products International

Website

https://rpicorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Research Products International (RPI), founded 1970 and headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois, is a US catalog distributor of biochemicals, antibiotics, buffers, growth media, molecular biology reagents, and laboratory supplies sold direct-to-buyer online, by phone, and fax to research labs, universities, and biotech firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Life Science Research Supplies

SIC

Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Reagents, Chemicals & Assay Kits (Buffers, Antibodies, ELISA, Enzymes) (HLAGAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Raw Materials & Critical Reagents Supply Services (media, resins, single-use) (HLAAAKAI)

Keywords

• Biochemical reagents
• Life science supplies
• Molecular biology products
• Laboratory consumables
• Cell culture media

Headquarters

HQ city

Mount Prospect

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (Lab Supplies & Biochemicals): RPI generates revenue through the direct sale of biochemical reagents, antibiotics, lab equipment, molecular biology products, and growth media to research laboratories, universities, and biotech companies. Orders are placed via e-commerce, telephone, or fax. The business model is transactional, with products sold at catalog list prices with volume-based tiered pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Research Products International (RPI) manufactures and distributes research-grade biochemicals, antibiotics, biological buffers, growth media, molecular biology reagents, and general laboratory supplies and equipment. The company operates as a catalog-based one-stop supplier for life science research, organizing its portfolio across Antibiotics, Biochemicals, Buffers, Growth Media, Laboratory Supplies, and Molecular Biology categories, including Zymo-branded molecular biology products.

Product overview

Research Products International (RPI) is a catalog-based distributor of biochemicals and laboratory supplies for research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and laboratories. The company operates as a single unified product platform offering an extensive catalog of research-grade biochemicals, antibiotics, biological buffers, growth media, laboratory equipment, and molecular biology reagents. RPI's product portfolio is organized into major categories: Antibiotics (spanning A-Z), Biochemicals (including acrylamide, agarose, amino acids, carbohydrates, enzymes, dyes, electrophoresis reagents), Buffers, Growth Media, Laboratory Supplies (equipment, plasticware, safety products), and Molecular Biology Products. The company also distributes Zymo-branded products. Key services include a Quick Order Pad for efficient bulk ordering, New Lab Discount programs, and Free Premiums promotions. The company holds EcoVadis sustainability certification and is headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zymo: Zymo brand products including DNA/RNA purification, enzymes, and molecular biology reagents sold through RPI

Products and services

• Antibiotics Extensive catalog of research-grade antibiotics including 17-AAG, Actinomycin D, Amikacin, Ampicillin, Carbenicillin, Cephalosporins, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Penicillin, Streptomycin, and Tetracycline for laboratory research applications.
• Biochemicals Comprehensive range of biochemicals including Acrylamide, Agarose, Alkyl Sulfates, Amino Acids, Biochemical Reagents, Blocking Reagents, Carbohydrates, Competent Bacteria, Cytokines, DNA Sequencing reagents, Detergents/Surfactants, Dyes and Stains, Electrophoresis Reagents, Fungicides, Inorganic Compounds, Metal Alkylamides, Other Enzymes, Plant Growth Regulators, Plant Hormones, Scintillation Cocktails, Vitamin Supplements, Water, and Yeast Media.
• Biological Buffers Biological buffers including PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) solutions and Biological Buffers (A-H, L-O, P, R-S, T-Z ranges) for laboratory applications.
• Growth Media Microbial and cell culture growth media available in Powder, Granulated, Capsulated, and Liquid formulations including LB Agar, Terrific Broth, Trypto Soy Broth, and specialty media.
• Laboratory Supplies & Equipment Extensive laboratory equipment and supplies including Acrylic Labware, Bags, Balances (OHAUS), Batteries, Bottles, Cell Culture products, Centrifuges, Cryoware, Desiccators, Gloves, Homogenizers, Incubators, Labels, Liquid Handling, Micro-Tubes, Microscopy supplies, Mixers, pH Meters, Pipet Tips, Pipettes, Racks & Organizers, Radiation Safety, Safety equipment, Scintillation Vials, Thermometers, Timers, Tools, Tubes, and UV Supplies.
• Molecular Biology Products Molecular biology reagents and supplies including ART Aerosol Resistant Tips, Autoradiography products, Blotting Apparatus, Cell Culture Products, DNA Amplification (PCR Workstations), Electrophoresis equipment, Filter Pipet Tips, Hybridization reagents, and Sample Processing supplies.
• Zymo-branded Molecular Biology Products Zymo-branded molecular biology products including Antibiotics, Chemicals, DNA products, DNA/RNA Co-Purification, E. Coli strains, Enzymes, Epigenetics reagents, Equipment/Accessories, Microbiomics, Plasmid, Plastic Components, Preservation solutions, Protein, RNA, Reagents, Sample Collection & Preservation, and Yeast.
• Quick Order Pad Online ordering tool allowing customers to quickly add items to cart by entering RPI item numbers and quantities, with copy-paste functionality for bulk reordering by institutional purchasers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Sigma-Aldrich (MilliporeSigma / Merck Life Science): The dominant global catalog supplier of biochemicals, reagents, buffers, and lab supplies to research and pharma customers. Directly comparable to RPI in product categories but with vastly larger catalog, R&D investment, and global distribution.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life sciences tools giant supplying reagents, consumables, instruments, and services across research and biopharma. Overlaps directly with RPI's catalog (including via its Alfa Aesar research chemicals brand) and dwarfs RPI in scale, brand, and global footprint.

Direct peers

• VWR International (Avantor): Major distributor of laboratory supplies, chemicals, and consumables to research and clinical customers. Closely comparable to RPI's direct-to-lab distribution model, with broader institutional reach and an integrated supply chain.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Manufacturer and supplier of life science research products including reagents, buffers, electrophoresis supplies, and molecular biology tools. Highly comparable to RPI's molecular biology and biochemical reagent categories with strong academic and biotech customer overlap.
• Cayman Chemical: Specialty manufacturer and supplier of biochemicals, assay kits, and research reagents to academic, government, and pharma research labs. Closely comparable to RPI in catalog focus on research-grade biochemicals, with deeper specialization in lipid mediators and assay kits.
• Tokyo Chemical Industry (TCI): Global catalog supplier of specialty organic chemicals, biochemicals, and reagents for research. Directly comparable to RPI's biochemical and reagent offering, with stronger international presence and broader specialty chemistry depth.
• Alfa Aesar (Thermo Fisher): Catalog supplier of research chemicals, pure metals, and inorganic compounds. Now a Thermo Fisher brand, but historically a direct competitor in research-grade chemicals and biochemicals overlapping with RPI's core catalog.
• Spectrum Chemical: Distributor of fine chemicals, excipients, and laboratory reagents to research, pharma, and diagnostics customers. Comparable to RPI in catalog breadth across lab chemicals and biochemicals, with a comparable specialty/niche positioning.
• Santa Cruz Biotechnology: Supplier of research antibodies, biochemicals, and laboratory reagents for life science research. Overlaps with RPI's biochemical, molecular biology, and reagent categories serving academic and biotech customers.

Others

• Zymo Research: Manufacturer of DNA/RNA purification kits, epigenetics, and molecular biology reagents whose products are distributed by RPI under the Zymo sub-brand. Thematically connected as a peer in molecular biology reagents, but primarily acts as a supplier rather than direct channel competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1931318

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Research Products International