Advice for setting up small chemical distribution business?

26 May.,2025

 

Advice for setting up small chemical distribution business?

Author: Subject: Advice for setting up small chemical distribution business? zephler1
Harmless




Posts: 41
Registered: 16-11-
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood
posted on 25-1- at 04:23 Advice for setting up small chemical distribution business?


I might be flamed mercilessly for this, but here goes...

I have been in the science / chemistry world for around 20 years now. Because I have made many great contacts on the lab equipment and chemical supply side, I was thinking it might be nice to have some extra pocket change say by importing a 50kg barrel of NaBH4 and selling it in smaller portions from a website. I am in Canada. I wondering if someone can offer some advice as to what to do first to investigate this? Sure, I will contact FedEx and UPS, and obviously I will not be selling scheduled precursors, but is a regular citizen allowed to sell NaBH4 to another for instance? What about something like H2SO4? This is the nature of the types of questions am looking for answers to - I really appreciate anyone taking the time to help! Bert
Super Administrator




Posts:
Registered: 12-3-
Member Is Offline

Mood: " I think we are all going to die. I think that love is an illusion. We are flawed, my darling".
posted on 25-1- at 07:21

There are a couple of good sized threads on similar subjects here- Do a search.

I can't speak to Canadian laws, all my hazardous material shipping is done in USA. And I can tell you, here, it's fairly complex to do all the required compliance. My DOT compliance takes more time (and money!) than my BATF compliance does- MUCH more.

(DOT = Department of Transportation - BATF = Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives)

[Edited on 25-1- by Bert]



Rapopart’s Rules for critical commentary:

1. Attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, vividly and fairly that your target says: “Thanks, I wish I’d thought of putting it that way.”
2. List any points of agreement (especially if they are not matters of general or widespread agreement).
3. Mention anything you have learned from your target.
4. Only then are you permitted to say so much as a word of rebuttal or criticism.

Anatol Rapoport was a Russian-born American mathematical psychologist (-).

Hellafunt
Hazard to Self




Posts: 65
Registered: 2-12-
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood
posted on 25-1- at 19:38

you should read " Excuse Me Sir, Would You Like To Buy A Kilo Of Isopropyl Bromide" by Max C. Gergel, its on our website here. Lots of funny anecdotes about the author starting his chemical business. Mailinmypocket
International Hazard




Posts:
Registered: 12-5-
Member Is Offline

Mood: No Mood
posted on 26-1- at 05:26

This thread covers the topic, I'm sure tomholm could answer your questions as he is in the business of shipping chemicals. It sounds a lot more complex and requires a lot more training than you would expect...

http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=



Note to self: Tare the damned flask. Dr.Bob
International Hazard




Posts:
Registered: 26-1-
Location: USA - NC
Member Is Offline

Mood: Mildly disgruntled scientist
posted on 26-1- at 07:55

You might find it advantageous to find an existing business, like Tom or another small chemical company, to join with in a joint venture, rather than start from scratch, as the cost of getting the DOT paperwork, training, and process is not trivial, so if you can find an existing business that already ships anything hazardous, you could potentially work with them to expand their business, rather than build one from ground zero. Years ago I would not have said that, but the regulatory world has become the hardest part of running any small business that does anything "hazardous". So if you can build on an existing shipping process, that will save you a fortune.

The equipment market would be much easier, but right now there is a glut of used equipment on the market in the US, and Chinese companies are flooding the market with excess supply, so prices are dropping for many items, due to the low demand as more US science companies downsize. If you can find the right niche, like genetics supplies or something with less competition, you might have a chance, but the people I knew who were selling lab supplies are all leaving the field, due to no sales. Zombie
Forum Hillbilly




Posts:
Registered: 13-1-
Location: Florida PanHandle
Member Is Offline

Mood: I just don't know...
posted on 26-1- at 17:57

How To Choose the Right Chemical Supplier for Your Business

Are you looking for a chemical supplier for your laboratory, manufacturing facility, or other type of business? If so, you may find it difficult to choose one company to work with out of the numerous in the chemical supply industry. Instead of choosing at random, follow this guide to select the right company that meets your business’s needs. Keep reading to learn how to choose the right chemical supplier for your business.

Goto TJCY to know more.

Determine Your Chemical Needs

The first thing to do before you start looking for a chemical supplier is to determine which materials you need. If you’re choosing a supplier for a new laboratory or other facility, consider which chemicals you’ll need to conduct experiments, manufacture, clean, and perform other tasks. Don’t forget to factor the quantity of these chemicals into your calculations as well. No scientist or manufacturer wants to run out of materials midway through a project. These calculations will give you a suitable starting point and allow you to start looking for suppliers that offer your needed products.

Inspect the Supplier’s Inventory

Once you’ve determined your business’s chemical needs, you should take a closer look at the suppliers you are considering. Compare your chemical list with the supplier’s website to find out if they can supply the chemicals, solutions, and solvents your business will require regularly. This is especially important when it comes to inspecting cleaning supplies and sterilization materials because your lab or other facility will need a steady supply of these to maintain a safe working environment.

You may also want to investigate your potential supplier’s shipment and ordering options. Do they offer bulk shipments to fulfill large chemical needs? Bulk shipments can help you keep frequently used products in stock when you need them most.

Compare Costs and Your Budget

Even if a supplier offers all the chemicals you could ever need, they won’t be of any use if everything exceeds your business’s budget. Before shopping around for a chemical provider, make sure you set a budget for chemical supplies that your business can afford. Because these supplies are crucial to your daily cleaning routines, experiments, manufacturing, and any other applications, you want to invest an appropriate amount of your funding. Once you have that set, compare your budget with the supplier’s offers. Again, check to see if they offer bulk orders. Bulk chemical purchases can help you save money on orders and shipping costs by reducing the cost per product.

Check the Business’s History

Whether you’re ordering from a solvent provider or any other type of supplier, it’s crucial that you take the time to investigate the company before investing. You can check multiple aspects of a business’s history through its website, social media pages, online reviews, and customer service team. Below are a few aspects of a business’s history to look out for.

Want more information on chemical distributor? Feel free to contact us.

Experience in the Field

One factor that contributes to a company’s trustworthiness and quality is its experience in the field. Having many years of experience selling chemicals and solvents allows a company to establish customer trust and navigate the industry. They will have more experience working through shipping or supply errors and know how to address any questions or concerns you might have. Having more experience also allows companies to better recommend products for your business to provide exactly what you need. More experienced companies will stay up to date on trends and changes within the industry to help you get the latest advancements in chemicals and solvents. And while new businesses with less experience can still be trustworthy, you’ll need to explore other factors than experience alone to tell.

Previous Customer Testimonials

Another way you can explore a company’s history is by investigating its customer reviews and testimonials. A business’s relationship with its customers can tell you a lot about its trustworthiness. Browsing customer reviews also helps you learn more about the business and how they treat their customers. Check the supplier’s website or listings on the web for customer reviews. You could also consider asking their customer service team if they can point you toward any testimonials from previous customers. You can even find information through comments on the supplier’s social media. Don’t forget to look over both the positive and negative comments to learn more about the business and its successes and struggles.

Proper Authentication and Certification

Another key factor to consider when choosing a chemical supplier is whether they have the proper certifications. Working with dangerous chemicals and solvents requires authentication and certification on the supply and business end, especially when buying and selling these materials. Browse the company site or ask customer service representatives if they can present up-to-date certifications, such as following ISO certifications and OSHA standards. This helps ensure you’re working with an authentic, legal chemical supplier.

Find Out if They Supply Green Chemicals

The chemical industry is constantly changing and adapting, and part of the adaptation process requires addressing environmental impact. Some chemicals can be harmful to the environment, so it’s crucial that a supply company uses safe and responsible storage and transportation methods for these materials. You may even want to search for suppliers that offer green chemicals, which are produced in more eco-friendly ways and offset the use of fossil fuels. Companies that offer bulk shipping can also help reduce emissions by transporting more materials in fewer shipments.

Where To Find Chemical Suppliers

Now that you know the considerations to make and features to look out for in a supply company, you might be wondering where to start. Fortunately, you don’t need to look far to find a trustworthy supplier that checks these boxes. Post Apple Scientific is a scientific and chemical supply company that prioritizes our customers. Not only do we offer a wide range of products, including hundreds of chemicals and solvents, but we also offer convenient buying options such as bulk ordering. We carry common lab supply chemicals and solvents, including bulk hydrochloric acid and more. Browse our website at Post Apple Scientific to learn more and see our full range of products.

After exploring this guide on how to choose the right chemical supplier for your business, you have all the tools you need to select a trustworthy company to work with. If you’re looking for a company that meets these criteria and more, don’t forget to browse Post Apple Scientific’s wide selection of chemicals and solvents today.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of difference between feed additives and feed supplement. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.