Metafix UK
Metafix UK designs, manufactures, and services onsite silver recovery and chemical waste treatment systems for photo-labs, printers, medical x-ray departments, NDT operators, and government clients across the UK, supported by a field service and compliance reporting model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersLutton, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Metafix UK does
Metafix UK (Metafix (UK) Ltd) is a UK-based environmental services company that designs, manufactures, and services onsite silver recovery and chemical waste treatment systems for the photographic, printing, medical x-ray, and non-destructive testing (NDT) industries. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Lutton, Northamptonshire, with additional facilities in Raunds and Wellingborough, the company has installed more than 1,000 systems across the UK and serves customers including NHS medical x-ray departments, dental and veterinary practices, the Ministry of Defence, NDT processors, printing operations, and photo-labs.
The company's core technology is built around proprietary silver recovery media (MetaWool, a patented iron-and-natural-fibre blend), electrolytic recovery units (ERS-12 and ERS-24), metallic replacement cartridges (MiX eXchangers), CTP developer treatment systems, and supporting hardware such as the Enviro-Jet automated discharge system, MetaBoost water pressure booster, AquaStop/HydroStop flood protection valves, and the Rinse Saver RO/DI filtration system. The MetaTrax Environmental Management System database tracks column life, discharge levels, and chemical throughput, enabling field engineers to issue Compliance Assurance Statement Certificates. Service engineers perform effluent sampling, download operational data, and provide regulatory documentation — a recurring service offering that binds customers into ongoing contracts.
Metafix generates revenue through three streams: hardware sales of silver recovery and treatment equipment, recurring service and maintenance contracts with compliance reporting, and consumables (replacement cartridges, biocides, filters). The company operates a direct-to-customer field sales and service model with a small team (eight named personnel), supported by a website serving as a product information hub. Metafix has amalgamated with Capix Ltd, which now acts as the trading company and provides UK distribution for complementary products including Colenta roller transport processors, Ulanzi, KEKS, Aura scanners, and HVHA sterilisers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; quotations are handled through direct sales contact.
Metafix UK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Metafix UK
- Legal name
- Metafix (UK) Ltd
- Website
- https://metafix.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Metafix UK designs, manufactures, and services onsite silver recovery and chemical waste treatment systems for photo-labs, printers, medical x-ray departments, NDT operators, and government clients across the UK, supported by a field service and compliance reporting model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Metafix UK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Treatment Equipment
- NAICS
- Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, Chemical, and Copy Toner Manufacturing (325992), Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solvent Recovery & Recycling Services (BPALAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- In-Situ Chemical Treatment (ISCO/ISCR, Chemical Oxidation/Reduction) (EUAIALAE), Groundwater Extraction, Treatment & Discharge (Pump-and-Treat, reinjection) (BPALAKAF)
Keywords
Where Metafix UK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lutton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Metafix UK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Silver Recovery Equipment Sales: Sale of silver recovery systems including electrolytic recovery units (ERS-12 and ERS-24), MiX eXchangers, and related equipment. Equipment sales include ongoing maintenance, desilvering and refining service to maximise return on silver revenue.
- Service and Maintenance Contracts: Regular servicing and field support for all products. Engineers perform effluent sampling, download chemical throughput data, and issue Compliance Assurance Statement Certificates. Quarterly Volume reports, Incident Reports and Sample Discharge results provided.
- Consumables and Cartridges: Replacement cartridges (MiX eXchangers), biocides (Wash Control, Pro Clear), and filter systems. One-time use products including MetaWool-filled cartridges ensuring no messy re-coring and manufacturer warranty.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Metafix UK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Metafix UK designs, manufactures and services onsite silver recovery and chemical effluent treatment equipment for photo-labs, printing operations, medical x-ray facilities, dental practices and the NDT industry. Core offerings include electrolytic silver recovery units, MetaWool-filled metallic replacement cartridges, CTP developer treatment systems, biocide injection systems, Rinse Saver RO/DI water treatment, chemical transfer systems and AquaStop flood protection valves, all backed by a nationwide field engineering team and the MetaTrax compliance reporting service.
Product overview
Metafix UK is a provider of onsite silver recovery solutions and environmental treatment systems for the photographic, printing, medical, and NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) industries. The product portfolio consists of hardware-based systems including electrolytic silver recovery units (ERS series), MetaWool-based MiX eXchangers and cartridges, automated biocide injection systems, water treatment systems (Rinse Saver RO/DI), CTP developer treatment systems, chemical transfer systems (Maxi-5), flood protection devices (AquaStop/HydroStop), and water boosters. The company also distributes high velocity hot air sterilisers (RH-Pro11). These products work together to enable customers to treat and discharge chemical waste on-site, recover valuable silver from photographic and processing waste, and maintain regulatory compliance with environmental discharge limits. Metafix provides integrated service support including the MetaTrax performance monitoring and reporting system, with over 1000 systems installed across photo labs, medical facilities, dental practices, printing operations, and NDT industry clients.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MetaBoost Water Booster / Air Break Compact, low-cost mains 240V water pressure booster system with holding tank, WRC approved float valve, electronic/hydraulic flow sensor, 40 litres/min flow rate, 40 metre head and Aqua-Stop flood protection valve. Designed for photo labs and processors requiring consistent mains pressure.
- Wash Control Biocide Full-spectrum 1000ml biocide concentrate that keeps processor wash baths free from algae and bio-slime buildup. Can be manually or automatically dosed into photo-lab and printing wash tanks.
- MiX eXchanger Silver Recovery Cartridges High-capacity metallic replacement cartridges filled with MetaWool recovery medium, available in gravity (G) or pump (P) models. Designed for maximum silver recovery from fixer solutions and compliance with silver discharge regulations below 1 ppm. One-time-use consumable with manufacturer warranty.
- Pro Clear Biocide Injection System Innovative wall-mounted biocide injection system powered solely by water pressure, requiring no electrical supply. Features a proportional mechanical dosing pump, services up to four processors and prevents slime buildup in wash tanks.
- Rinse Saver RO/DI Water Treatment System Automatic inline six-stage filtration system with auto-flushing membrane for photo-lab processors. Eliminates the need for chemical stabilisers, with filters lasting over ten times longer than standard DI systems and operating cost under £150/year versus £800/year for conventional DI.
- Micro e Minilab Silver Recovery System (Micro e-Control) Fully automated effluent management and silver recovery system with de-silvering rate of 500-1000 ml/min, programmable monitoring, Enviro-Jet discharge system and MetaTrax tracking in a 2 sq/ft footprint. Designed for minilab photo processors.
- ERS Electrolytic Silver Recovery System (ERS-12 / ERS-24) Digital microprocessor-controlled electrolytic silver recovery units for NDT, medical x-ray, graphic arts and black & white photo facilities. ERS-12 recovers 46 g/hr of silver and ERS-24 recovers 93 g/hr, with 1 sq/ft footprint and digital controls.
- CTP-pH-Control System R4 First silver recovery and effluent treatment system designed specifically for CTP and standard plate processors. Collects, measures and neutralises pH levels of all CTP waste effluent using Meta-Aid neutralising agent, with on-site discharge capability that eliminates costly haul-away.
- Maxi-5 Chemical Transfer System Low-cost chemical transfer system for moving chemicals from low-level processors to drain or for remote collection. Available in LF (500 ml/min) or HF (30 litres/min) configurations with single or twin tank/pump setup.
- Automatic Bioslime Eliminator Microprocessor-controlled biocide injection system that meters exact amounts of biocide into processor wash tanks. Uses three alternating blend formulas (A, B, C) to prevent resistance buildup and keep wash tanks slime-free.
- AquaStop / HydroStop Flood Protection Valve AA-battery-operated automatic shut-off valve that detects leaks via external sensor and instantly switches off mains water supply. Protects photo-processors, chemical mixers, plate processors and other water-connected appliances from flood damage.
- RH-Pro11 HVHA Steriliser High velocity hot air steriliser for dental and medical applications, distributed by Metafix in the UK under a partnership with HVHA.
Quantifiable outcome
- Silver levels maintained less than 1 ppm
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Metafix UK
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Metafix UK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Metafix UK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Capix LtdcoreMetafix and Capix Ltd have amalgamated to strengthen both businesses, with Capix Ltd now being the trading company. Capix is the UK distributor for roller transport processors for photo, graphics, x-ray/NDT and PCB markets. Metafix products are distributed through Capix channels.
- ColentacoreCapix Ltd is the exclusive UK distributor for Colenta RT processors, representing the product line through their established distribution network.
- UlanziminorCapix is the distributor for Ulanzi products in the UK market through capixphoto.shop.
- KEKSminorCapix is the distributor for KEKS products in the UK market through capixphoto.shop.
- AuraminorCapix is the distributor for Aura scanners in the UK market through capixphoto.shop.
- HVHA (High Velocity Hot Air)minorMetafix distributes RH-Pro11 HVHA Steriliser from HVHA. Links to hvha.co.uk indicate a distribution relationship for high velocity hot air sterilisers.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Metafix UK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Tradebe: European-headquartered environmental services group focused on industrial waste treatment and recycling, including solvent recovery. Comparable to Metafix's solvent/silver recovery and on-site treatment proposition at a larger scale.
- Veolia Environmental Services: Global environmental services giant offering industrial waste collection, treatment, and recycling. Competes with Metafix indirectly where customers opt for full-service waste haul-away rather than Metafix-style on-site solutions.
- Stericycle: Specialised waste services provider with regulated waste management offerings. Adjacent competitor for healthcare and dental waste streams where Metafix positions on silver recovery and chemical effluent.
- Clean Harbors: North American environmental and industrial services company providing hazardous waste management and recycling. Represents the scaled, bundled-services alternative to Metafix's on-site treatment model.
Direct peers
- Pure Silver Recovery: Specialises in silver recovery from fixer solutions and photographic/x-ray waste streams, offering equipment and refining services comparable to Metafix's core offering.
- Bevill's: US-based silver recovery and photographic chemical waste specialist serving photofinishers, printers and x-ray facilities. Closest like-for-like analog to Metafix's silver recovery cartridge and refining service model.
- Image Technology Inc. Provides silver recovery equipment and consumables for the photographic and graphic arts industries, directly overlapping with Metafix's metallic replacement cartridges and on-site recovery systems.
- Southeastern Photographic Recovery: Niche silver recovery from photographic and x-ray fixer, comparable to Metafix's MiX eXchanger and ERS product lines in the photo-lab and medical x-ray verticals.
Emerging players
- Colenta Labortechnik: Austrian manufacturer of roller-transport processors for photo, x-ray/NDT and PCB markets. Capix (Metafix's parent group) is the UK distributor for Colenta, making it a quasi-peer and channel partner rather than a direct UK competitor.
- Eschmann Equipment: UK dental and medical steriliser/autoclave vendor. Comparable to Metafix's RH-Pro11 HVHA Steriliser distribution line into dental practices, with overlapping customer base in UK dental clinics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Metafix UK social profiles
Digital presenceMetafix UK compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Metafix UK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metafix UK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Metafix UK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metafix UK 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 Metafix UK
What does Metafix UK do?
Metafix UK designs, manufactures and services onsite silver recovery and chemical effluent treatment equipment for photo-labs, printing operations, medical x-ray facilities, dental practices and the NDT industry. Core offerings include electrolytic silver recovery units, MetaWool-filled metallic replacement cartridges, CTP developer treatment systems, biocide injection systems, Rinse Saver RO/DI water treatment, chemical transfer systems and AquaStop flood protection valves, all backed by a nationwide field engineering team and the MetaTrax compliance reporting service.
Is Metafix UK a public or private company?
Metafix UK is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Metafix UK founded?
Metafix UK was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Metafix UK based?
Metafix UK is headquartered in Lutton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Metafix UK make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Silver Recovery Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are service and Maintenance Contracts and consumables and Cartridges.
Who are Metafix UK's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Tradebe, Veolia Environmental Services, Stericycle and Clean Harbors. Direct peers are Pure Silver Recovery, Bevill's, Image Technology Inc. and Southeastern Photographic Recovery. Emerging players are Colenta Labortechnik and Eschmann Equipment.
Does Metafix UK have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metafix UK.
What industry is Metafix UK in?
Metafix UK's product category is Environmental Treatment Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAHAC, Solvent Recovery & Recycling Services, with a secondary code of EUAIALAE, In-Situ Chemical Treatment (ISCO/ISCR, Chemical Oxidation/Reduction). Its NAICS code is 325992 and its SIC code is 2890.