William Blythe is one of the oldest inorganic chemical manufacturers in the UK. The core of our current chemistry is based around copper, tin and iodine compounds. Originally, the business manufactured chemicals for the local textile industry, since then the company has transformed itself and its products numerous times. This culture of adaptability and continual innovation remains core to the business philosophy to this day.
1845
William Blythe Limited was founded in Accrington, Lancashire, by Scottish chemist William Blythe after graduating from the University of Manchester
1854
The company’s first patent was granted for the manufacture of sulfuric acid.
1892
William Blythe & Co. Ltd was established with William Blythe’s sons, William Steward Blythe and Frederick Charles Blythe, as Directors.
Early 1900’s
William Blythe & Co. became a global supplier of inorganic chemicals with sales to the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. It also helped to support the war effort during the First World War.
1960's
A turning point in the mindset of William Blythe as chemical engineering talent is brought in to the company to develop new processes rather than using external contracting firms. This led to the development of in-house expertise handling strong acids, bases and oxidants through the use of plastics, corrosion resistant metals such as titanium and tantalum, and GRP tanks.
1969
Acquired by Hickson & Welch (H&W) to safeguard the supply of arsenic salts from William Blythe, key constituents of H&W’s inorganic wood preservative business. The handling of hazardous materials such as arsenic has led to William Blythe holding a wide regulatory permit and unique licenses for handling and processing hazardous chemistries.
1989
Commenced development of the Flamtard products in association with Alcan. This year also saw the construction of a facility to produce sodium metaperiodate, another core chemical in William Blythe’s current product portfolio.
2012
Further investment in the Quality Control and R&D Laboratories to meet the requirements of highly specified products and to support new product development.
2016
The launch of the graphene oxide as a commercial product along with the webshop, GOgraphene, a leading storefront for academics and industry to purchase small quantities of graphene oxide.
2018
Successful installation of the hydrothermal plant, a new capability which enables the production of functional nanoparticles.
2022
The graphene oxide process is successfully scaled to a 50-tonne capacity of high purity dispersion.
2024
Installation of new laboratories at our Accrington site. This 250 m2 facility includes a polymer application suite, flame retardant testing, small scale electrochemical device testing and process scale-up.
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