Blackburn opens defoamer plant to take on the world
13 May 2025
Specialty chemicals company Blackburn Chemicals Limited has opened its new £14 million defoamer facility in Blackburn, Lancashire.
Billed as the most advanced powder defoamer chemical plant in the world, the solar-powered site is expected to increase the firm's production capacity from 2,000 tonnes to 7,000 tonnes per year, says the company.
In addition, on-site chemists and fully automated systems will enable products to move from from the lab to the market more quickly.
Founded by George Lamb in 1972, the firm supplies a variety of industries, among them paper manufacturing. Blackburn Chemicals’ clients include two of the largest paper mills in Europe, with more than 80% of business based overseas.
The company is the third largest UK chemical exporter to Brazil for the pulp market and it is also active in food production, surface coatings and construction chemicals.
MD John Covill said: “We are a unique business, in that a lot of industries need our product. The expansion will enable us to significantly increase our output, serve our UK and global customers more efficiently, and respond faster to industry demands.”
