In industries like paint, textiles, paper and pharmaceuticals, consistency and performance aren’t just goals – they’re must-haves. That’s why off-the-shelf chemistry often misses the mark. A bespoke chemical formulation, on the other hand, is built from scratch around what your production line actually needs.
At The Rakem Group, we don’t do generic. Our Maker Services are crafted with input from your engineers, shaped by in-depth research, and proven through real-world testing. Every step of our chemical formulation process is shaped around collaboration, not assumptions.
What follows isn’t just a list of stages. It’s a close-up look at how we turn complex challenges into tailored chemical formulations that deliver results, not surprises.
Consultation and Requirements Gathering
Before anything is mixed, measured or tested, we talk properly. The consultation stage is, arguably, where the real groundwork gets done. We don’t just ask what you need; we explore why, how and where it fits into your operation.
This is where your technical team and ours sit down to define every detail. Performance specs, environmental considerations, production constraints – they’re all mapped out. Sometimes, this stage uncovers needs that weren’t obvious at first glance. That’s part of the point.
Understanding your processes inside out allows us to build a custom chemical solution that isn’t just effective on paper – it’s practical on your production floor. Whether you’re facing supply chain bottlenecks or demanding performance targets, our team makes sure the brief is clear, complete and ready to move into chemical R&D without guesswork.
This is collaboration, not consultation. It’s what keeps our solutions relevant, scalable, and ready for the next step.
Research and Development
This is where science meets specificity. Our chemical research and development team starts exploring what’s technically possible – and what’s commercially viable – based on everything gathered during consultation.
We don’t work from a catalogue. Instead, our chemists get to work developing entirely new solutions or adapting existing ones in fresh, meaningful ways. The brief drives the direction, but it’s our knowledge of formulation science that unlocks what’s actually feasible.
Across industries, the demand for industrial chemical solutions that are cost-efficient, sustainable, and compliant keeps rising. So, our R&D isn’t just focused on performance – it’s about futureproofing your supply chain.
Whether it’s rethinking dispersion, altering particle size, or introducing smarter additives, each formulation is tested for both functionality and long-term reliability. It’s a process rooted in chemistry, but led by the outcomes you need.
Initial Prototyping and Testing
Ideas are just that – until they’re proven. So, once we’ve developed a candidate formulation, we move swiftly into prototyping and testing. This stage takes the theory from the lab and places it under pressure in controlled, real-world conditions.
Early-stage batches are created in small volumes, allowing us to trial how the formulation behaves across the conditions it’ll actually face in your operation. We’re not just checking if it works – we’re gauging how well it performs, how it interacts with other materials, and how reliably it holds up under strain. For instance, testing for paper coatings often brings unique requirements to the fore.
Feedback at this point is crucial. It shapes whether we’re on the right track or need to pivot. And because we understand the risks tied to underperforming batches, we never cut corners.
This phase ensures your bespoke chemical formulation isn’t just conceptually strong – it’s functionally sound, right from the outset.
Refinement and Optimisation
Once the prototype has shown what it can do, we take what we’ve learned and make it better. This stage – formulation optimisation – is where our chemists fine-tune the balance between performance, stability and cost-efficiency.
Small tweaks can make big differences. Whether it’s adjusting concentrations, modifying pH levels or improving dispersibility, each decision is made with a sharp eye on the end use. And it’s not just our lab calling the shots – we rely on your feedback too.
What works well in a controlled test might need adjusting for full-scale manufacturing. That’s why we keep the loop tight – lab to plant, plant to lab – until we’ve got something that’s just right.
Our aim? A tailored chemical formulation that delivers results predictably, efficiently, and without hiccups – so you’re not chasing your supplier for fixes down the line.
Finalisation and Scaling
Once the formulation is refined and signed off, we switch gears – from development to delivery. Finalising means locking in the exact specification and agreeing on the batch parameters needed for production. No surprises, no shifting goalposts.
Scaling up is about precision, not just volume. A formulation that works in small batches needs to perform just as well on your production line – and that takes know-how. We replicate lab conditions at scale, ensuring consistency from drum to drum, delivery to delivery.
Every step is documented, traceable and checked. This protects quality, yes – but it also ensures we stay responsive if regulations change or supply conditions shift.
By this stage, you’re not just receiving a custom chemical solution – you’re gaining a process that fits neatly into yours. That’s the point. We adapt to your operations, not the other way around.
So, what makes a bespoke chemical formulation from The Rakem Group different? It’s not just chemistry – it’s how we apply it. Every stage, from that first sit-down through to scaled delivery, is shaped around what matters to you: reliability, performance and partnership.
Our clients aren’t just looking for a product. They’re looking for a team that listens, adapts, and delivers consistently. Through rigorous chemical R&D, focused prototyping and testing, and responsive formulation optimisation, we bring industrial chemical solutions to life that don’t just meet your needs – they often anticipate them.
If you’re looking for tailored chemical formulations that feel like they were made for your operation, that’s because they were.
