Ultrachem has upgraded and extended its blending facilities to offer an even faster and more efficient supply of high quality chemistry to its customers.

Aidan McElroy, marketing manager of Ultrachem, says: "Our investment in new equipment and working methods reflects our commitment to remaining number one in UK pressroom chemistry manufacture and to providing the very best products and service to the marketplace."

The company has both solvent- and water-based products. The solvent-based facility now has four new blending tanks, increased capacity and ensures a more automated and uninterrupted link between bulk storage tanker, mixing tanks and filling systems. This means an even safer environment without manual intervention in the process, and that solvent chemistry (including blanket and roller washes) is supplied on demand with no intermediate storage required.

Investment in the extended blending, the creation of zoned areas and use of antistatic overalls are indications of the high priority given to environmental and health and safety at the plant, which can now handle the most highly flammable chemistry. Ultrachem is seeing a trend towards cleaner solvents with a flashpoint above 55°C, in line with EC guidelines, although it can still supply chemistry with lower flashpoints for older machines.

The water-based and specialist product facility has been relocated to one of Ultrachem's freehold sites in Leeds. All staff have moved across from the original leasehold site. A further investment in blending, including new homogenisers, has also been completed. The equipment is being used for improvement in the stability of emulsion-based products such as plate cleaners. Products are less likely to split and will require less shaking before use. Lab facilities have been enhanced so that quality control is optimised. Other products manufactured at this facility include fount solutions, plate chemistry and other specialised cleaners and pastes.

Alan Thomas, manager of the chemistry operations in Leeds, says: "Before we produced chemistry in response to orders coming from the distribution depots. Now we are inside the distribution network and we are using computer information to track stock levels and predict need, providing chemistry ahead of demand so that customers are supplied with the right products very speedily."

The project was first considered a year ago and has taken several months to complete although the company retains an on-going improvement programme.