What Process Research Products does

Process Research Products (PRP) is a privately held, US-based specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1958 and headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey, near the Port of New York. The company formulates and produces chemicals whose core competency is dispersing solids in liquids, delivering stable suspensions of fine particles in both oil and aqueous media for industrial lapping, grinding, slicing, and cleaning applications. Its product portfolio is organized around four branded families: AQUALAP synthetic lapping vehicles for silicon, SiC, and sapphire wafers; SILCUT oil-based wire saw slicing fluids for hard substrates; ULTRACLEAN water-based alkaline cleaners for wafer and electronic substrate cleaning; and SILCOOL high-dilution grinding coolants for I.D. sawing and boule grinding, supported by ancillary products such as PROCUT 50, FLOW ON II, BAKELAP, ABRADELAP, PROLAP, ABRACOAT B, and GSD-4.

PRP sells primarily to four vertical segments: semiconductor wafer fabrication (primary), silicon carbide substrate processing (primary), industrial precision components such as gear and bearing-ball lapping, and coatings/mold release applications including investment casting. The business model is straightforward B2B specialty chemical sales: products are sold as concentrates or ready-for-use formulations in 55-gallon drums, 6-gallon pails, and 275-gallon totes at quote-based, undisclosed pricing. Revenue is generated through both one-time product sales and a custom formulation development service, with the company leveraging an in-house R&D laboratory to co-develop process-specific chemistries for fab and OEM customers.

The company distributes globally through a network of technically capable channel partners in China, Taiwan, Sweden/EU, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea, combined with direct sales via website, phone, and email. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified and remains continuously managed by its original founding ownership group, with no disclosed institutional investment, M&A activity, or leadership transitions. Current leadership is led by President Simon Broomer. The combination of 65+ years of continuous operation, a narrow but technically demanding product set, and a globally distributed customer base positions PRP as a long-tenured niche specialist rather than a scaled industrial chemical platform.

Name

Process Research Products

Legal name

Process Research Products

Website

https://processresearch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Process Research Products is a privately held, Trenton, NJ-based specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1958 that formulates lapping, grinding, wire saw, and cleaning chemistries for the semiconductor, silicon carbide, industrial, and coatings industries, selling globally through direct sales and technical distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Semiconductor Process Chemicals (Wet & Dry) (IMAEAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wet Process Chemicals (Etchants/Cleaners/Strippers/SC-1/SC-2/BOE) (HDAHAGAF), PCB & Electronics Manufacturing Chemicals (Desmear, micro-etch, plating, fluxes) (IMAEAKAL)

Keywords

• Specialty chemicals manufacturing
• Semiconductor wafer lapping
• Silicon carbide processing chemicals
• Industrial lapping coolants
• Mold release coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Trenton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Specialty Chemical Products: Manufacture and sale of specialty chemicals including lapping vehicles, wire saw fluids, grinding coolants, and cleaning solutions for semiconductor and industrial applications. Products sold as concentrates or ready-for-use formulations.
2. Custom Formulation Development: Custom-made formulations for specific customer process needs in precision cutting, grinding, and lapping applications.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Process Research Products manufactures specialty chemical formulations including lapping vehicles, wire saw fluids, grinding coolants, cutting fluids, mold release agents, and alkaline cleaners for precision lapping, grinding, slicing, and cleaning of semiconductor wafers (silicon, SiC, sapphire) and industrial components. Products are sold as concentrates or ready-for-use formulations in 55-gallon drums, 6-gallon pails, and 275-gallon totes to semiconductor, silicon carbide, industrial, automotive, and coatings customers worldwide.

Product overview

Process Research Products (PRP) is a specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 1958, offering a portfolio of precision chemical formulations centered on dispersing solids in liquids for industrial lapping, grinding, slicing, cutting, and cleaning applications. The product portfolio is organized into four primary branded families: AQUALAP® (synthetic lapping vehicles for semiconductor wafer lapping, including AQUALAP 19-C, AQUALAP 200, and AQUALAP TTV for silicon, SiC, and sapphire wafers); ULTRACLEAN® (water-based alkaline cleaners including 04-K, 1435-A, 3-E, and EU for removing slurries from wafers and electronic substrates in ultrasonic tanks); SILCUT® (oil-based wire saw fluids for slicing SiC, quartz, and sapphire); and SILCOOL®-X ND (I.D. saw coolants for slicing and edge grinding). Supporting products include PROCUT®50 (diamond wire coolant), LAPFASTER®SO and LAPFASTER® LE-2 (synthetic coolants for optics and industrial grinding), FLOW ON® II and BAKELAP® (coolants for bearing ball lapping), ABRADELAP® (alumina abrasive lapping compounds), PROLAP® 19 and PROLAP®-16 ZP (water-based lapping vehicles), PC® (oil-based suspension vehicle for ball lapping), 2SD (oil-based gear lapping slurry), DS-3 (ready-to-use diamond slurry), E-1® (semi-synthetic cutting and grinding coolant), R30 (synthetic grinding coolant), RP-TEAM® (rust preventative for lapping plates), GSD-4 (water-based graphite dispersion for mold release), PJ-C (graphite-in-oil dispersion for mold release), and ABRACOAT B (water-based boron nitride dispersion for high-temperature coatings). These products serve the semiconductor, silicon carbide (SiC), industrial precision components (differential gears, bearing balls), and coatings/mold release agent industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aqualap: Synthetic lapping vehicles for semiconductor wafer lapping including silicon, sapphire, and silicon carbide wafers
• Silcool
• Ultraclean
• Silcut

Products and services

• 2SD 2SD is a medium viscosity, oil-based vehicle with excellent abrasive suspension properties, designed for bevel gear lapping machines (e.g., Gleason, Klingelnberg) to mate ring and pinion sets. It is mixed with silicon carbide abrasive (up to 50% by weight) and is water emulsifiable with high anti-scuffing properties.
• ABRACOAT B ABRACOAT B is a ready-for-use water-based hexagonal boron nitride (HBN) dispersion with 99.9% HBN purity for metal matrix applications, providing non-stick barrier, mold release, and non-wetting properties in hot pressing and investment casting operations.
• ABRADELAP ABRADELAP is an abrasive charging liquid for the lapping of precision steel balls, available in multiple alumina-based variants (2T, 4QT, OLF-CB) with varying hardness, particle size, and cut rates. Used in conjunction with FLOW-ON lapping coolants.
• AQUALAP 19-C AQUALAP 19-C is the original water-soluble synthetic lapping gel designed for lapping silicon wafers up to 6 inch diameter, offering fast stock removal rates and excellent surface finish at low flow rates.
• AQUALAP 200 AQUALAP 200 is an advanced generation suspension lapping gel created for the lapping of silicon wafers, compatible with common abrasives such as Fujimi FO powder and PWA, improving total thickness variation and reducing scratch rates.
• AQUALAP TTV AQUALAP TTV is an advanced lapping vehicle for silicon, SiC, and sapphire wafers, offering 50% reduction in flow rates compared to competitive products, improved total thickness variation, and designed for wafers up to 300mm.
• BAKELAP BAKELAP is a fully synthetic, oil-free water-based coolant for ultrafine grinding and honing of ball bearings, enabling elimination of oil-based coolants in ball lapping operations including Noritake and Bakelite lapping processes.
• DS-3 DS-3 is a ready-for-use water-based diamond slurry containing 3-micron monocrystalline diamond abrasive for double-sided lapping and polishing of silicon carbide wafers, based on Aqualap-TTV technology.
• E-1 E-1 is a semi-synthetic emulsifiable cutting and grinding fluid for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, sintered materials, and ceramics, offering high EP properties, extended tool life, and bacteria control.
• FLOW ON II FLOW ON II is a semi-synthetic water-soluble coolant for lapping bearing balls, used in conjunction with Abradelap abrasive paste compounds at a 15:1 dilution ratio, suitable for individual tanks and central systems.
• GSD-4 GSD-4 is a semi-colloidal water-based graphite dispersion for applications including aluminum casting, smokeless forging, mold release, and chain lubrication, designed for robotic or handheld spray application.
• LAPFASTER SO LAPFASTER SO is a fully synthetic water-soluble coolant for grinding, lapping, and shaping operations on optical substrates including glass, sapphire, quartz, and ceramics, with minimal foam and excellent biological resistance for central systems.
• PC PC is an oil-based abrasive carrier vehicle for lapping operations requiring excellent suspension characteristics and medium viscosity, especially suited for slurries used in lapping silicon nitride balls.
• PJ-C PJ-C is a high solids micro-graphite dispersion in hydro-treated naphthenic petroleum oil used as a graphite additive in mold release compounds, providing high-performance release, friction reduction, and equipment protection in industrial and automotive lubricants.
• PROCUT 50 PROCUT 50 is a highly concentrated water-soluble non-foaming dye-free diamond wire coolant for wafering hard substrates including sapphire and crystalline silicon, designed to keep diamond wire free from swarf buildup.
• PROLAP 19 PROLAP 19 is a highly concentrated water-soluble abrasive carrier vehicle for fast lapping of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, ceramics, glass, and plastics, formulated for easy water clean-up.
• PROLAP-16 ZP PROLAP-16 ZP is a synthetic non-suspension water-based lapping vehicle with very low viscosity designed for fast lapping of metals, ceramics, glass, and plastics, offering superior film strength and biodegradability.
• RP-TEAM RP-TEAM is a liquid mildly alkaline organic rust preventative designed for direct application to lapping plates, effective in preventing dark grid line formation in silicon wafer lapping using cast iron plates.
• SILCOOL-X ND SILCOOL-X ND is a highly concentrated I.D. saw coolant for slicing, edge grinding, rod grinding, and boule grinding, designed for dilution up to 500:1 with deionized water, providing clean machine operations and extended blade life.
• SILCUT RT / SILCUT S-LV SILCUT RT and SILCUT S-LV are oil-based wire saw slicing fluids for slicing silicon carbide, quartz, sapphire, lithium tantalate, and other semiconductor materials, with excellent suspension properties for silicon carbide, B4C, and diamond abrasives.
• ULTRACLEAN 04-K ULTRACLEAN 04-K is a high pH KOH-based alkaline cleaner for removal of wire saw slurries and lapping slurries from solar and semiconductor wafers, designed for use in ultrasonic tanks at 40-70 kHz frequencies.
• ULTRACLEAN 1435-A ULTRACLEAN 1435-A is a KOH-based high performance aqueous cleaner for removing PEG and oil-based slurries from silicon, sapphire, silicon carbide wafers, quartz crystals, ceramics, and metal parts, suitable for soak tanks or ultrasonic systems.
• ULTRACLEAN 3-E ULTRACLEAN 3-E is a NaOH-based general purpose alkaline cleaner for ultrasonic systems for cleaning electronic substrates including silicon, quartz, and ceramics, effective against slicing vehicle/abrasive slurries, cutting oils, and coolants.
• ULTRACLEAN EU ULTRACLEAN EU is a concentrated high pH KOH-based synthetic cleaner designed for electronic substrate processing including heavily doped wafers, providing high degree cleaning and very low foam over a wide temperature range for removing lapping and wire saw slurries.
• R30 R30 is a fully synthetic water-soluble coolant for grinding, lapping, and shaping operations on ferrous and non-ferrous metals including SiC and ceramics, offering minimal foam, excellent biological resistance, and rapid swarf settling for central systems.
• Custom Formulation Development PRP's in-house R&D laboratory develops custom-made chemical formulations for specific customer process needs in precision cutting, grinding, and lapping applications, with ongoing technical support. The service leverages PRP's core competency in dispersing solids in liquids across oil and aqueous media.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in flow rates compared to competitive products
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• China Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor network in China for regional sales and technical support of specialty chemical products.
• Taiwan Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor network in Taiwan for regional sales and technical support of specialty chemical products.
• Sweden/EU Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor network in Sweden and European Union for regional sales and technical support.
• Malaysia Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor network in Malaysia for regional sales and technical support of specialty chemical products.
• Singapore Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor network in Singapore for regional sales and technical support of specialty chemical products.
• South Korea Distribution PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor network in South Korea for regional sales and technical support of specialty chemical products.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fujimi Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of lapping and polishing materials for semiconductor wafers, including slurries and abrasive particles for silicon, SiC, and sapphire. Most direct competitor to PRP's AQUALAP lapping vehicles and DS-3 diamond slurry products.

Broad incumbents

• Resonac (formerly Showa Denko / Hitachi Chemical): Japanese specialty materials producer with extensive semiconductor materials portfolio including CMP slurries, polishing pads, and SiC epitaxy. Competes broadly with PRP in advanced semiconductor materials.
• Entegris: Major US-based supplier of specialty materials, fluid handling, and contamination control for semiconductor and SiC wafer manufacturing. Offers CMP slurries and wafer cleaning chemistries overlapping with PRP's ULTRACLEAN and lapping product lines.
• JSR Corporation: Japanese specialty chemical and materials company with semiconductor materials business including CMP slurries, cleaning chemistries, and electronic materials. Operates in adjacent chemistries to PRP's product portfolio.
• CMC Materials (now part of Entegris): Former Cabot Microelectronics, now Entegris's CMP slurries business. Produces polishing slurries used in semiconductor and SiC wafer finishing - adjacent product category to PRP's lapping vehicles.
• Saint-Gobain (Surface Conditioning): Global materials group producing abrasive slurries, lapping compounds, and surface conditioning products for precision manufacturing. Competes with PRP in industrial lapping and bearing ball finishing segments.
• Versum Materials (Merck KGaA Performance Materials): Large diversified supplier of specialty chemicals, materials, and delivery systems for semiconductor manufacturing. Acquired by Merck KGaA in 2019, serving wafer fabs globally with broader portfolio than PRP.
• 3M (Abrasives Division): Diversified industrial manufacturer with lapping films, abrasive slurries, and coolant products. PRP explicitly references 3M Trizact diamond pad compatibility in R30 product, indicating adjacent positioning in the wafer finishing ecosystem.
• AGC Chemicals (Asahi Glass): Japanese specialty chemical manufacturer supplying fluorinated and specialty materials for semiconductor processing, including cleaning and surface treatment chemistries overlapping with PRP's ULTRACLEAN product family.

Others

• Henkel (Adhesive Technologies): Global specialty chemical company with industrial coatings and mold release agents relevant to PRP's Coatings & Mold Release Agents segment (ABRACOAT B, GSD-4, PJ-C products). Adjacent rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Process Research Products