Buy Surplus Specialty Additives at Below-Market Prices
We connect coatings formulators, ink manufacturers, and industrial processors with verified surplus specialty additives from major U.S. and European chemical producers. Our inventory typically includes rheology modifiers, silica matting and anti-blocking agents, dispersants, defoamers, thickeners, corrosion inhibitors, and functional process additives — available at 30–70% below current wholesale pricing.
Every lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis, Safety Data Sheet, and full traceability to the original manufacturer. Most items are warehoused domestically across multiple U.S. regions.
Surplus Rheology Modifiers, Silica Agents, Dispersants & Functional Additives
Our specialty additive inventory comes from coatings manufacturers, ink producers, adhesive companies, and specialty chemical distributors clearing surplus from production changeovers, warehouse consolidations, and discontinued formulations. Here are the product families we handle most frequently.
Rheology modifiers and thickeners are our highest-volume additive category. We regularly carry flow and leveling agents, associative thickeners, cellulosic thickeners, and viscosity modifiers used in waterborne and solvent-based coatings, inks, and adhesive systems. These are the workhorses of formulation chemistry and generate consistent surplus because coatings manufacturers consume them in high volumes and frequently adjust rheology packages between product generations.
Silica-based additives including matting agents, anti-blocking agents, flatting silicas, and fumed silica thickeners are a staple of our inventory. These come in a wide range of particle sizes and surface treatments for applications spanning architectural coatings, industrial finishes, printing inks, and plastics. Silica additives have excellent shelf stability, making them ideal surplus candidates.
Dispersants and wetting agents used to stabilize pigment dispersions and improve substrate wetting in coatings and ink formulations come through regularly from manufacturers optimizing their additive packages or consolidating supplier relationships.
Defoamers, biocides, and process additives round out the inventory. These functional additives — used to control foam, prevent microbial contamination, and improve processing characteristics — become surplus when manufacturers change formulations or discontinue product lines that required specific additive combinations.
Current Surplus Specialty Additive Inventory
Our specialty additive inventory changes as new lots come in from coatings manufacturers, ink producers, and chemical distributors clearing surplus stock. Below is our current verified inventory. Select any items you're interested in to request a quote, or join our preferred buyer list to get first access to new additive lots.
Who Buys Surplus Specialty Additives
Architectural and industrial coatings manufacturers are the primary buyers, sourcing surplus rheology modifiers, silica matting agents, and dispersants to reduce additive costs on high-volume product lines. Printing ink manufacturers buy surplus wetting agents, defoamers, and flow modifiers for offset, flexographic, and digital ink formulations. Adhesive and sealant producers source surplus thickeners and functional additives for cost-sensitive product runs. Smaller formulators and toll manufacturers use surplus additives to keep raw material costs competitive against larger competitors with better purchasing leverage from primary suppliers.
Many specialty additives have shelf lives measured in years, making them particularly well-suited for surplus purchasing. If you don't see what you need listed above, join our preferred buyer network and we'll notify you when matching inventory comes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are surplus specialty additives the same quality as buying from a primary distributor? Yes. Every lot we broker is virgin surplus in original sealed packaging from the manufacturer. Specialty additives — particularly silica products and dry powder additives — are among the most shelf-stable chemicals in the coatings industry. We provide the manufacturer's COA and SDS with every lot so your lab can verify specifications before purchase.
Why are these additives priced below market? Coatings and ink manufacturers generate surplus additives when they reformulate products, switch additive suppliers, discontinue product lines, or overstock ahead of production runs that get scaled back. Chemical distributors produce surplus from minimum-order-quantity purchases that exceed their customer demand. The additives are identical to current production — the seller has more than they can use.
What quantities are typically available? Additive lot sizes vary widely. Dry silica products and powder additives are commonly available in multi-bag or pallet quantities ranging from several hundred to tens of thousands of pounds. Liquid rheology modifiers, dispersants, and defoamers are typically available in drum quantities (approximately 400–500 lbs per drum). We list exact available volumes for every item in our inventory.
How long do specialty additives last in storage? Most dry powder additives — silica matting agents, fumed silica, molecular sieves — have essentially indefinite shelf life when stored in sealed containers in dry conditions. Liquid additives like rheology modifiers, dispersants, and defoamers typically have manufacturer-stated shelf lives of 12–24 months but often remain fully functional well beyond that. We disclose manufacture dates on every quote.
Can you source specific additive grades not currently listed? We regularly receive new surplus lots from coatings chemical manufacturers and distributors across the U.S. and Europe. If you have a recurring need for a specific rheology modifier, silica grade, or functional additive, join our preferred buyer list and tell us what you're looking for. We'll match you to incoming lots as they become available.