Lakeland Laboratories Ltd
About us
Based near Manchester, Lakeland Laboratories is an established manufacturer of Speciality Surfactants. Traditionally serving the maintenance chemical industry, our products are now used in most areas of the cleaning sector and industrial applications. We provide technical support for existing customers and development of new business. Our products are exported throughout Europe and most other world markets. The most important product ranges for the I & I industries are the Amphoterics and Phosphate Esters. Lakeland also manufacture a range of Wax Emulsions that are successfully used in floorcare applications, as well as a range of other coating type applications. As well as providing the formulator with multifunctional properties, all these ranges possess excellent environmental profiles. Lakeland also has facilities for contract manufacture/synthesis.
Contract manufacture has always been an important part of Lakelands business. The strategic location and proven track record has led to long lasting working relationships with our clients. Lakeland currently possess 14 reactors ranging from 1000 to 25000 ltrs. All reactors are steam heated, and will reach a temperature of 165oC max.
Lakeland have successfully implemented ISO 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018
and is committed to continual improvement of our products, services and processes.
Lakeland is also a member of Groundwork’s Sustainable Business Initiative. This framework helps to enhance our sustainability performance.
Products & services
Amphoterics range
The dipropionates are generally available as the mono alkali metal salt, and the monopropionate as the free acid. The dipropionates are used in many cleaning systems specifically for their solubilisation and detergent properties. Some of the the many advantages dipropionates offer are: ■ Excellent dirt lifting properties, which makes them an essential component of hard surface cleaners and vehicle cleaners, particularly when applied by pressure washer. ■ Excellent hydrotropic properties, which enables the use of nonionic surfactants in aggressive conditions eliminating the use of traditional hydrotropes. The amphoterics elevate the cloud points of alkaline and highly built detergent systems, thus improving their detergency at high operating temperatures. ■ They impart excellent free rinsing properties to detergent systems leaving a smear free surface. This is an important consideration for all forms of industrial and household cleaning. ■ As dipropionates are salt free they do not promote the corrosion of metal surfaces. In fact they exhibit good anti-corrosive properties for ferrous metals. ■ They are stable across the whole pH range and confer stability to other more traditional surfactant systems, thus giving added versatility. ■ They have low orders of toxicity and are therefore ideal for cleaning surfaces which come into contact with food. ■ They are stable in hard water and can impart stability to other surfactants when formulated into products used in hard water areas. ■ High foaming or low foaming amphoterics available, depending on the formulators requirement.
Phosphate Esters
Phosphate esters are 100% active anionic surfactants which are produced as the free acid by either of two chemical routes. Phosphate esters are highly versatile surfactants offering a wide range of properties and applications. As such they are used widely in emulsion polymerisation, textile auxiliaries, maintenance chemicals, metal finishing, and many other applications. They are especially useful in household and maintenance cleaning products, where high active heavy duty products are required.
Wax Emulsion
Lakeland have developed a range of polyethylene wax emulsions that are predominently nonionic in nature. We also have a montan wax emulsion available too. They are all completely aqueous emulsions. The emulsions are manufactured under pressure or by wax to water method. Some of the properties / advantages that wax emulsions can aid a formulator would be: ■ Ease of handling - Free flowing liquids with low viscosity that will blend with aqueous formulations. ■ Slip properties - Improved mechanical handling of packaged goods. ■ Lubricity -Increased stitching speed in fabrics. ■ Durability -Excellent ‘wearability’ in floor polishes. ■ Film forming - Added toughness in polymer coatings. ■ Aqueous based -No solvents contained, compatibility with aqueous systems. ■ Anti scuff - Surface coatings protected from abrasion. ■ Anti blocking -Coat to coat adhesion reduced.
General Products
From iodine solutions to speciality amphoterics, terpene cleaning concentrates and hydrotropes, Lakeland’s technical team is continually exploring new applications and new ranges to suit diverse client needs, changing regulations and evolving consumer expectations in global sectors from agrochem and manufacturing to cleaning, construction and oil field.