Lawrence Industries
Lawrence Industries is a UK-based technical distributor of specialty chemicals, minerals, and catalysts, sourcing from 43+ global chemical manufacturers and supplying industrial buyers across the United Kingdom and Ireland through technically trained direct sales teams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersBirmingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Lawrence Industries does
Lawrence Industries Limited is a UK-based specialty chemicals distributor founded in the mid-1970s and headquartered in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The company functions as a technically driven intermediary between global chemical manufacturers and industrial buyers across the United Kingdom and Ireland, distributing a portfolio that spans additives, minerals, catalysts, micro-fibrillated cellulose, expandable graphite, micaceous iron oxide, thermochromic pigments, and corrosion inhibitors. Its product range is organised across sixteen application areas including coatings, adhesives and sealants, agrochemicals, cosmetics and personal care, thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, composites, construction, and industrial fluids, with named principals including 3M, BASF, Clariant, Evonik, Nouryon, Sika, Sappi, and more than forty other chemical producers.
The business is wholly owned by Brenntag Group, the world's largest chemical distributor, and operates within Brenntag's broader European specialty distribution footprint. Lawrence Industries' commercial approach is sales-led, executed through technically trained sales managers who provide formulation and application support rather than purely transactional supply. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated via direct enquiry, with revenue generated through product markups on transactions with industrial customers; no API, digital platform, or self-service channel exists.
The company maintains compliance with REACH, GDPR, the Modern Slavery Act, and UK health and safety legislation, and uses a website-hosted Knowledge Centre of technical application articles as a primary marketing channel. Operating status is active, with no disclosed M&A, funding events, or leadership transitions in the available data.
Lawrence Industries firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lawrence Industries
- Legal name
- Lawrence Industries Limited
- Website
- https://l-i.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Lawrence Industries is a UK-based technical distributor of specialty chemicals, minerals, and catalysts, sourcing from 43+ global chemical manufacturers and supplying industrial buyers across the United Kingdom and Ireland through technically trained direct sales teams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lawrence Industries industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Chemicals Distribution
- NAICS
- Chemical Manufacturing (325)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Oilfield & Refining Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAI)
Keywords
Where Lawrence Industries is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Birmingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lawrence Industries business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Chemical Distribution: Lawrence Industries distributes speciality chemicals, minerals, and catalysts sourced from global chemical manufacturers to customers throughout the UK and Ireland. As a distributor, revenue is generated through the markup on products sold to purchasing customers across diverse industrial markets.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Lawrence Industries product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lawrence Industries is a technically driven distributor of speciality chemicals and raw materials, sourcing product ranges from over 50 global chemical manufacturers and selling them to industrial customers across the UK and Ireland. The company supports 16 application areas including coatings, adhesives, construction, refractories, rubber, and printing inks, and operates a centralized stockholding and warehouse facility from Tamworth, England.
Product overview
Lawrence Industries operates as a technically driven distributor of speciality chemicals, minerals, and catalysts serving diverse markets across the UK and Ireland. The company offers a broad portfolio of additives and specialty chemicals organized into 16 application categories (Adhesives & Sealants, Adsorbents, Agrochemicals, Animal Health & Nutrition, Catalysts, Coatings, Composites, Construction, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Elastomers, Graphic Arts, Household/Industrial & Institutional, Industrial Fluids, Paper, Thermoplastics, and Thermosets), complemented by specific branded products like Valida (micro-fibrillated cellulose), Asconium 500 (corrosion inhibitors), Expandable Graphite (flame retardants), Micaceous Iron Oxide (protective coatings), Geopearl (cosmetic micas), and Chromazone (thermochromic pigments). The company distributes products from 43+ global chemical manufacturing partners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Valida Micro-fibrillated cellulose additive used as a sustainable, bio-based performance additive in industrial formulations including coatings, adhesives, and construction materials. Distributed to UK and Ireland industrial manufacturers.
- Asconium 500 Next-generation corrosion inhibitor designed for use in anti-corrosive protective coatings, providing an alternative to traditional zinc-based inhibitors. Targeted at industrial coatings formulators.
- Expandable Graphite Expandable graphite supplied as a flame retardant additive for use in intumescent coatings, plastics, and construction materials where fire performance is required.
- Micaceous Iron Oxide (MIO) Micaceous iron oxide supplied as a lamellar pigment for high-performance protective and anti-corrosive coatings, particularly in heavy-duty industrial and marine environments.
- Geopearl Effect Pigments Mica-based pearlescent effect pigments used in industrial coatings, paints, plastics, and printing inks to provide decorative and functional effects.
- Chromazone Pigments Chromazone pigments supplied for use in industrial coatings, paints, and printing inks to deliver colour and visual effects.
- Fire Retardant Additives Range of fire retardant additives supplied for use in intumescent coatings, construction materials, plastics, and rubber products requiring fire performance.
- Specialty Adhesives Raw Materials Range of specialty raw materials and additives supplied to industrial adhesives manufacturers for use in formulation of structural and specialty adhesives.
Companies that use Lawrence Industries
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Lawrence Industries technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Lawrence Industries partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
42 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- 3Mcore3M is a partner supplying speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland market.
- BASFcoreBASF is a leading global chemical manufacturer whose products are distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- ClariantcoreClariant is a speciality chemical company whose products are distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- EvonikcoreEvonik is a global speciality chemicals company whose products are distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- NouryoncoreNouryon is a global speciality chemicals company whose products are distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- SikacoreSika is a speciality chemicals company whose products are distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- SappicoreSappi is a paper and pulp company producing cellulose products including Valida micro-fibrillated cellulose distributed by Lawrence Industries.
- Quarzwerke HPFminorQuarzwerke HPF supplies minerals including expandable graphite for flame-retardant applications distributed by Lawrence Industries.
- Chitec Technology Co.minorChitec Technology Co. supplies chemical additives distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- ASCOTECminorASCOTEC supplies additives including Asconium corrosion inhibitors distributed by Lawrence Industries.
- GeotechminorGeotech supplies cosmetic formulations including Geopearl synthetic micas distributed by Lawrence Industries.
- Brenntag GroupcoreLawrence Industries is an affiliated entity of Brenntag Group, operating as part of Brenntag's global distribution network with shared privacy standards and corporate governance.
- AlteominorAlteo supplies alumina products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- ASK ChemicalsminorASK Chemicals supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- AVL Metal PowdersminorAVL Metal Powders supplies metal powder products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Münzing ChemieminorMünzing Chemie supplies speciality chemical additives distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- TyromerminorTyromer supplies polymer products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- BoricaminorBorica supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- CosmodecminorCosmodec supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Graf ChemicalsminorGraf Chemicals supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Innova BMminorInnova BM supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Jover ScientechminorJover Scientech supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- KaMinminorKaMin supplies kaolin and mineral products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- LUHminorLUH (Georg H GmbH) supplies high-temperature expandable graphite for engineering polymers distributed by Lawrence Industries.
- Manuka BiologicalsminorManuka Biologicals supplies biological products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Medolla Speciality ChemicalsminorMedolla Speciality Chemicals supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Oxidos FerricosminorOxidos Ferricos supplies micaceous iron oxide products distributed by Lawrence Industries for protective coatings.
- Spectra SystemsminorSpectra Systems supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- TIB ChemicalsminorTIB Chemicals supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- TramacominorTramaco supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Waverly CarbonminorWaverly Carbon supplies carbon products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- ZeochemminorZeochem supplies zeolite and molecular sieve products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- AvanzareminorAvanzare supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Cirkel GmbHminorCirkel GmbH supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- ConcentrolminorConcentrol supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Hi-Q Marine BiotechminorHi-Q Marine Biotech supplies marine biotechnology products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- ImDerma LaboratoriesminorImDerma Laboratories supplies derma cosmetic ingredients distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Interplast KimyaminorInterplast Kimya supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- ISO-ELEKTRA GmbHminorISO-ELEKTRA GmbH supplies speciality chemical products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Sigma Oil SeedsminorSigma Oil Seeds supplies oil seed products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- SpotSeeminorSpotSee (TMC Hallcrest) supplies temperature monitoring and indicating products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
- Triturados Blanco Macael (TBM)minorTBM supplies mineral products distributed by Lawrence Industries in the UK and Ireland.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Lawrence Industries competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Biesterfeld: Biesterfeld is a European specialty chemicals distributor with principal partnerships across polymers, rubber, additives, and industrial specialties — comparable in scope and technical-sales approach to Lawrence Industries.
- Safic-Alcan: Safic-Alcan is a European specialty chemical distributor covering rubber, plastics, coatings, adhesives, personal care, and industrial specialties — a comparable technical distribution peer for Lawrence Industries.
- Azelis: Azelis is a global specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor focused on technical sales, formulation support, and principal partnerships across life sciences, industrial chemicals, and personal care — a direct functional peer to Lawrence Industries.
- IMCD: IMCD is a leading European specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with deep technical-sales expertise and a broad principal portfolio spanning coatings, personal care, and industrial applications — directly comparable to Lawrence Industries' operating model.
- Caldic: Caldic is a European specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor offering life science and industrial solutions with regional country operations — directly comparable to Lawrence Industries' regional distributor structure.
- Barentz: Barentz is a European specialty ingredients distributor focused on life sciences, personal care, animal nutrition, and industrial applications — operating a technical sales-led distribution model comparable to Lawrence Industries' UK/Ireland business.
Emerging players
- TER Group: TER Group is a European specialty chemicals distributor serving rubber, plastics, coatings, and adhesives end-markets — partially overlapping with Lawrence Industries' portfolio, particularly in performance additives.
Broad incumbents
- Univar Solutions: Univar is a large North-American-led chemical and ingredients distributor serving industrial and specialty end-markets through technical sales, providing a comparable broad distribution benchmark for Lawrence Industries.
- Brenntag Group: Brenntag is the parent company and the world's largest chemical distributor. It is the natural broad incumbent benchmark for Lawrence Industries given shared principals, shared product lines, and direct operational integration through the Brenntag UK distribution network.
Regional players
- Nordmann (now part of Safic-Alcan): Nordmann (consolidated into Safic-Alcan) operates a European chemical and ingredients distribution platform with comparable end-market coverage in personal care, industrial additives, and performance chemicals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lawrence Industries compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Lawrence Industries financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lawrence Industries leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Lawrence Industries funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lawrence Industries M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lawrence Industries
What does Lawrence Industries do?
Lawrence Industries is a technically driven distributor of speciality chemicals and raw materials, sourcing product ranges from over 50 global chemical manufacturers and selling them to industrial customers across the UK and Ireland. The company supports 16 application areas including coatings, adhesives, construction, refractories, rubber, and printing inks, and operates a centralized stockholding and warehouse facility from Tamworth, England.
Is Lawrence Industries a public or private company?
Lawrence Industries is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Lawrence Industries founded?
Lawrence Industries was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lawrence Industries based?
Lawrence Industries is headquartered in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Lawrence Industries make money?
One revenue line is on record: chemical Distribution.
Who are Lawrence Industries's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Biesterfeld, Safic-Alcan, Azelis, IMCD, Caldic and Barentz. TER Group is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Univar Solutions and Brenntag Group. Nordmann (now part of Safic-Alcan) is listed as a regional player.
Does Lawrence Industries have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lawrence Industries.
What industry is Lawrence Industries in?
Lawrence Industries's product category is Specialty Chemicals Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEABAI, Oilfield & Refining Specialty Chemicals. Its NAICS code is 325 and its SIC code is 5160.