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Big global distributors are not the only option for UK labs. A group of independent and specialist suppliers often wins on price, range in a particular niche, or personal service. This guide compares Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS), Apollo Scientific and Richmond Scientific, and adds two US specialists that UK researchers often come across: MuseChem and Key Scientific Products. For the largest distributor, see our separate Fisher Scientific UK guide.
At a glance
| Supplier | Based in | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS) | Nottingham | Broad independent distributor | One-stop shop for chemicals, consumables and equipment |
| Apollo Scientific | Stockport | Specialist manufacturer and supplier | Fluorinated and heterocyclic building blocks, synthesis reagents |
| Richmond Scientific | Chorley, Lancashire | New and used equipment supplier | Refurbished instruments and value lab equipment |
| MuseChem | USA | Specialty chemicals | Inhibitors, reference standards, custom synthesis |
| Key Scientific Products | USA | Microbiology and diagnostics | Bacterial identification and culture products |
Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS)
SLS began trading in 1991 and is headquartered in Nottingham. It describes itself as the largest independent supplier of laboratory equipment, chemicals and consumables in the UK and Ireland, meaning it is not owned by a manufacturer. Alongside major brands such as Sigma-Aldrich, Eppendorf, Corning and Thermo Scientific, it sells its own SLS Select range of consumables and chemicals.
SLS has grown through acquisitions, including C&M Scientific in Scotland, which handles equipment installation, servicing and calibration, and in 2024 it opened a new national distribution centre at Fairham Business Park in Nottingham. It also operates as part of a wider European group with the French distributor Dominique Dutscher.
Choose SLS if you want a single UK supplier for most lab needs and prefer an independent distributor that can source across many brands. Its website is scientificlabs.co.uk.
Apollo Scientific
Apollo Scientific was founded in Stockport in 1993 (originally as M&G Chemicals) and its head office is in Bredbury, Stockport. It specialises in manufacturing and supplying aromatic, heterocyclic and aliphatic compounds, fluorochemicals and life science reagents. It lists over 100,000 products, with about 25,000 held in stock, and also sells deuterated solvents and spectroscopy consumables. Japan’s Central Glass Company owns the business.
Apollo holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation and offers scale-up support, so a compound bought in grams for discovery can later be supplied in larger quantities for development.
Choose Apollo Scientific if you run medicinal, agrochemical or materials chemistry and need building blocks, especially fluorinated ones, delivered quickly from UK stock. alpha pihp a-pihp
Richmond Scientific
Richmond Scientific Ltd is based in Chorley, Lancashire, and supplies both new and used laboratory equipment. Its range runs from centrifuges, shakers and autoclaves to chromatography systems and mass spectrometers. The company’s angle is value: giving quality pre-owned equipment a second life and introducing lesser-known international manufacturers of new equipment.
Choose Richmond Scientific if you are equipping a start-up, teaching or QC lab on a budget, or need a specific older instrument model. Ask about warranty, service history and installation before buying any used instrument.
MuseChem (USA)
MuseChem is a US supplier of specialty chemicals for research, including enzyme inhibitors, active pharmaceutical ingredients, reference standards and other research-use compounds. It also offers custom synthesis, peptide synthesis and analytical support. UK buyers should factor in import time, customs and any licensing for controlled substances, and should expect identity and end-use checks for restricted items.
Key Scientific Products (USA)
Key Scientific Products is a long-established US company serving clinical and research microbiology labs since 1935. Its range includes chromogenic bacterial identification tests, organism preservation systems, culture media, antisera, stains and slides. It is relevant to UK labs mainly through distributors or for specific products not otherwise available.
How to choose between them
- Start with what you buy most. If it is a broad mix of consumables and common chemicals, compare SLS with the big distributors on a basket of your top 20 items.
- Use specialists for specialist needs. Building blocks, reference standards and diagnostic microbiology products are usually cheaper and better documented from a specialist.
- Consider used equipment carefully. It can save a lot of money, but check service history, warranty and parts availability.
- Check documentation every time. Whoever you buy from, insist on current Safety Data Sheets and lot-specific Certificates of Analysis. Our chemical supplier checklist explains what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
Is SLS part of Thermo Fisher or Merck?
No. SLS is an independent distributor. It sells products from many manufacturers, including Thermo Scientific and Sigma-Aldrich brands.
Does Apollo Scientific sell to the public?
Apollo focuses on research and industrial customers. As with most UK chemical suppliers, restricted and hazardous products need appropriate checks. See our UK chemical suppliers guide.
Is buying used lab equipment safe?
It can be, if the seller decontaminates, tests and services equipment and offers a warranty. Always ask for a decontamination certificate for anything that may have handled biological or hazardous material.
