Union Chemicals Lanka

What Union Chemicals Lanka does

Union Chemicals Lanka PLC (UCLL) is a publicly listed Sri Lankan specialty chemicals manufacturer and trading organization, headquartered at 5th Floor, No 4, Tickell Road, Colombo 08, and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange under ticker UCAR.N0000. The company began chemical manufacturing in 1984 under Union Carbide Ceylon Ltd., was renamed after Dow Chemicals' 2000 acquisition of Union Carbide, and became fully independent in November 2003 when Dow divested. UCLL is the pioneering manufacturer of waterborne polymer dispersions (emulsion polymers) in Sri Lanka, producing vinyl-acrylic, styrene-acrylic, and acrylic-based emulsions alongside paint additives, alkyd resins, silicone emulsions, solvents, surfactants, pigments, and the U-COAT consumer wood coatings line. Its portfolio is organized across binders for emulsion paints, adhesives, textile pigment binders, dispersing/defoaming agents, rheology modifiers, thickeners, coalescing agents, paint driers, opacifiers (including proprietary UCOP 783, a partial TiO2 substitute), and multiple alkyd, PU, and epoxy resins sourced from Macro Polymers in India.

UCLL operates a hybrid manufacturing-plus-distribution model: it produces proprietary emulsion polymers in-house and distributes specialty chemicals on behalf of international principals including Dow Chemicals (USA), Eastman (USA), Macro Polymers (India), Dominion Colour Corporation (Netherlands), and Sunflag Chemicals (India). The company sells direct to industrial B2B customers in Sri Lanka across paints, coatings, construction, adhesives, detergents, textiles, rubber and plastics, food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics verticals, with technical support delivered through an in-house Product Service Center laboratory staffed by qualified scientists. Distribution is single-country/domestic with stated reach into the broader South Asia region. The company is ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified, holds a long history of national quality, productivity, green, and safety awards, and is governed by a board chaired by Mr. K. M. Dissanayake with Mr. H.A.D.U.G. Gunasekera as Managing Director since 2000.

Name

Union Chemicals Lanka

Legal name

Union Chemicals Lanka PLC

Website

https://ucll.lk

Company type

Public

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Union Chemicals Lanka PLC is a Sri Lankan specialty chemicals manufacturer and trader pioneering waterborne polymer dispersions since 1984. It produces emulsion polymers, paint additives, resins, and wood coatings, distributing its own and global principals' products to industrial customers across multiple verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255), Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing (32513)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Adhesives & Sealants (2891), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Coating & Adhesive Raw Materials (Resins, Additives, Solvents) (IMAEAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adhesives & Sealants Chemicals (IMAEABAA), Specialty Surfactants & Performance Additives (IMAEABAL), Textile, Leather & Paper Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAM)

Keywords

• Waterborne polymer dispersions
• Emulsion polymers
• Specialty chemicals distribution
• Paints and coatings raw materials
• Industrial adhesives binders

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Waterborne Polymer Dispersions: Manufacturing and trading of waterborne polymer dispersions including emulsion polymers, binders for paints, adhesives, and textile binders.
2. Chemical Trading and Distribution: Trading organization representing international chemical suppliers (Dow Chemicals, Eastman, Macro Polymers, Dominion Color Corporation, Sunflag Chemicals) distributing specialty chemicals to Sri Lankan industries.
3. Water-Based Wood Coatings (U-COAT): Consumer-facing water-based wood coating products including top coats, floor coats, and wood stains marketed under the U-COAT brand for wood protection and aesthetics.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Union Chemicals Lanka PLC is a manufacturing and trading organization that produces waterborne polymer dispersions (emulsion polymers) and distributes specialty chemicals for Sri Lankan industrial customers. Its product portfolio spans emulsion polymers, adhesives, textile binders, paint additives (dispersants, defoamers, rheology modifiers, thickeners, surfactants, coalescing agents, driers, opacifiers), silicone emulsions, alkyd and epoxy resins, solvents, pigments, and water-based wood coatings marketed under the U-COAT brand.

Product overview

Union Chemicals Lanka PLC is a manufacturing and trading organization for industrial chemicals and allied products, specializing in waterborne polymer dispersions. Their product portfolio is organized into several categories: Emulsion Polymers (including binders for emulsion paints, adhesives, and textile pigment binders like SL973P, SL127P, SL117P, various vinyl-acrylic adhesives), Paint Additives (dispersing/defoaming agents, rheology modifiers, thickeners, surfactants, coalescing agents, paint driers, opacifiers), Silicone Products (LE 45, LE 35, LE 25 silicone emulsions), Alkyd Resins (various soybean/coconut oil based resins, PU resins, epoxy resins from Macro Polymers), Solvents and Surfactants (Methanol, Butyl Cellosolve, LAWS, PG USP, Tergitol NP 10, Triton X-100, SLES 70, LAS 96% from Dow Chemicals and other suppliers), Pigments (Titanium oxide, Iron oxides in multiple colors), Wood Coatings (U-COAT brand: top coats, floor coats, wood stains in various finishes), and Other Products (MEA, EDTA, Pine Oil). The company serves paints, coatings, construction, adhesives, detergents, textiles, rubber and plastics, food, pharma and cosmetics industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• U-COAT: Water-based wood coatings product line including wood stains, floor coats, and top coats (Matt and Gloss finishes) for interior and exterior wood surfaces
• SL 984T
• UCOP 783

Products and services

• Emulsion Polymer Binders for Paints A range of vinyl-acrylic, styrene-acrylic, and acrylic emulsion binders (SL973P, SL127P, S53, SL68, SL1211WP, SL117P, SL171P) used as binders in interior, exterior, waterproofing, primer, and texture paint formulations for paint manufacturers.
• Vinyl-Acrylic and Vinyl-Acetate Adhesives A portfolio of adhesive polymers (SL492A, R160M, SL5112A, R160S, SL160L, A2017L, A2017R, A4020D, SL1265A, SL2017A, SL1830A, SL1650A, PM13T, S937A, SL977A, SL175A, S165H) for paper packaging, book binding, wood working, lamination, carton pasting, tube winding, table adhesive, and label pasting applications.
• SL 984T Textile Pigment Binder
• Paint Additives (Dispersing & Defoaming Agents)
• Rheolate 150 Rheology Modifier
• Thickeners for Paints and Coatings
• Coalescing Agents
• Paint Driers and Anti-Skinning Additives
• UCOP 783 Opacifier
• Alkyd, Epoxy, and Polyurethane Resins
• Silicone Emulsions
• Industrial Solvents and Surfactants
• Titanium Oxide (TiO2) Pigment
• Iron Oxide Pigments
• U-COAT Top Coats (Matt and Gloss)
• U-COAT Floor Coats (Matt and Gloss)
• U-COAT Wood Stains
• Other Specialty Chemicals (MEA, EDTA, Pine Oil)

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dow ChemicalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLL represents Dow Chemicals (USA) for a range of chemical products. Dow Chemicals acquired Union Carbide Corporation in 2000, continuing the historical relationship from when the company operated under Union Carbide Ceylon Ltd. Products include solvents, surfactants, coalescing agents, thickeners, paint driers, and specialty chemicals.
• EastmancoreTechnology or IntegrationUCLL represents Eastman (USA) for a range of chemical products for the Sri Lankan market.
• Macro Polymers Pvt LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLL represents Macro Polymers Pte Ltd (India) for a range of chemical products including alkyd resins, epoxy resins, polyurethane resins, and specialty resin products for paints and coatings applications. Products include S-5060, C-1032, S-5030, UF RESIN, TS 8060, EPOXY-450 Resin, Polyamide resin, MRGLY, MFAP, TPA 696.
• Dominion Colour CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationUCLL represents Dominion Color Corporation (Netherlands) for pigment products and conducted joint seminars on Water Based Pigment Dispersions with their technical team.
• Sunflag ChemicalscoreTechnology or IntegrationUCLL represents Sunflag Chemicals (India) for a range of chemical products for the Sri Lankan market.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Organik Kimya: Turkish specialty emulsion polymers and acrylic resin manufacturer serving paints, adhesives, textiles, and construction chemicals — directly comparable to UCLL's binder/additive portfolio and waterborne technology focus.
• Synthomer: UK-listed global specialty emulsion polymers and adhesives producer serving paints, coatings, construction, and textiles — comparable to UCLL across both product technology and broad vertical end-market coverage.
• Mallard Creek Polymers: US-based specialty emulsion polymer producer serving coatings, adhesives, and textile markets — directly comparable to UCLL in technology (waterborne polymer dispersions) and customer verticals.
• Apcotex Industries: Indian manufacturer of emulsion polymers (vinyl acrylic, styrene acrylic, nitrile, SBR latex) used in paints, adhesives, textiles, and paper — directly comparable to UCLL's waterborne polymer dispersion business in scale, chemistry, and end-uses.

Broad incumbents

• Asian Paints: India's largest decorative and industrial coatings manufacturer with backward integration into binders and additives — a much larger incumbent whose raw-material needs and formulation direction shape regional demand for inputs like UCLL's products.
• Dow Inc. Global chemical major whose surfactants, solvents, and additives are represented by UCLL in Sri Lanka; the prior ownership and 2003 divestiture create a historical and ongoing competitor/supplier peer relationship.
• Celanese Corporation: US specialty chemicals producer (Emulsion Polymers, acetyl chain) overlapping with UCLL's waterborne dispersion and additives portfolio through products such as Selvol PVOH thickeners already in UCLL's range.
• Pidilite Industries: India's dominant adhesives and specialty chemicals maker (Fevicol, Dr. Fixit) with adjacent emulsions/coatings exposure — comparable to UCLL on the adhesives and paint-additive side at substantially larger scale.
• BASF SE: Global chemical major producing resins, dispersions, pigments, and additives used across paints, adhesives, and personal care — comparable to UCLL as the upstream chemist whose local principals (e.g., DCC) compete for similar share.

Regional players

• Berger Paints Bangladesh / Berger Paints Sri Lanka: Regional Berger Paints affiliates operating paint manufacturing in South Asia including Sri Lanka; comparable as a regional customer base for UCLL's binder, additive, and pigment offerings rather than as a direct chemistry competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/union-chemicals

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Union Chemicals Lanka