Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants
A technical overview of quaternary ammonium surfactants by Norman Lowe, Senior Technical Consultant HPC and Industrial at HARKE UK & Ireland. Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants are a class of cationic surfactants,
Household Care Ingredient Distributors
Are you looking for a household care ingredient distributor in the UK?
HARKE Chemlink, a division of HARKE UK & Ireland, is a speciality household care ingredient distributor serving formulators across the UK and Ireland. We offer high quality household care ingredients from world leading suppliers for a wide range of cleaning applications.
We have decades of experience as a chemical ingredient distributor, combining strong supplier partnerships with in-depth technical knowledge to deliver high-quality chemical ingredients that meet the evolving needs of the household care market.
Our range of ingredients spans air care, anti-foam, bleaching agents, chelating agents, disinfection, fragrances, hydrotropes, odour absorbers, pearlisers & opacifiers, preservatives & biocides, rheology modifiers, speciality additives, surface care, surfactants, textile care and UV absorbers. So whether you’re looking for ingredients that enhance efficiency, improve formulation stability or even create aesthetic appeal, HARKE UK & Ireland is here to help.
We are proud to offer technical expertise to our customers as well as top class ingredients, supporting formulators from our on-site lab in Manchester, UK. We work with our customers from concept through to finished household care formulations, offering tailored ingredient solutions and responsive local support.
Our team also researches and shares the latest cleaning and household care trends with customers, ensuring that we can work together to innovate, creating formulations that resonate with people’s evolving preferences.
By working closely with our customers and principal suppliers, HARKE Chemlink helps formulators develop effective, compliant and commercially successful products for today’s competitive household care sector.
Explore Our Household Care Ingredients - Cleaning Disinfectants & Biocides Textile & Laundry Air Care
Cleaning
Cleaning
We source from the best global manufacturers to bring our customers the latest in innovative cleaning ingredients.
With an emphasis on naturally sourced ingredients and an eye on the latest product and market trends, we can help your formulations excel.
Would you like our help? Book in a free no-obligation consultation with one of our ingredient experts now.
Disinfectants & Biocides
Disinfectants & Biocides
We collaborate with top-tier suppliers worldwide to curate a selection of disinfectant and biocide ingredients that excel in household care formulations.
Our portfolio is constantly expanding, with new and exciting ingredients being added frequently to meet the ever-changing demands of consumers and the market.
Would you like our help? Book in a free no-obligation consultation with one of our ingredient experts now.
Textile & Laundry
Textile & Laundry
We collaborate with top-tier suppliers worldwide to curate a selection of textile and laundry ingredients that excel in household care formulations.
Our portfolio is constantly expanding, with new and exciting ingredients being added frequently to meet the ever-changing demands of consumers and the market.
Would you like our help? Book in a free no-obligation consultation with one of our ingredient experts now.
Air Care
Air Care
Fragrance in the home is now connected to a sense of wellbeing, and more and more people are investing in air care as part of their self-care.
We are pleased to be entering into this competitive market, with innovative ingredients that serve reed diffusers, liquid electric plugins and scented candles alike.
Would you like our help? Book in a free no-obligation consultation with one of our ingredient experts now.
HARKE Household Care Product Search
Working With a Household Care Ingredient Distributor
We support customers across a wide range of household care and cleaning applications, including air care, fabric care, surface care, leather care, carpet care and dish care.
Beyond ingredient supply, HARKE UK & Ireland offers technical insight to help optimise household care formulations, troubleshoot challenges and identify the right ingredients for specific applications. Our team understands regulatory expectations, market trends and formulation demands, ensuring that our customers get reliable guidance as well as consistent, high-quality ingredient supply.
Whether you are seeking a dependable household care distributor, a knowledgeable formulation partner, or access to innovative cleaning ingredients, HARKE UK & Ireland provides a flexible, customer-focused approach. Through our HARKE Chemlink division expertise and wider HARKE Group capabilities, we help brands and manufacturers bring high-performing household care products to market with confidence.
What does a household care ingredient distributor do?
A household care ingredient distributor sources, supplies and supports the use of raw materials used in cleaning and household care formulations across fabric care, surface care, dish care, carpet care, air care and more. At HARKE UK & Ireland, we work with global suppliers to bring high-quality household care ingredients to formulators across the UK and Ireland, backed by technical insight and formulation support.
Why should I choose HARKE UK & Ireland as my household care distributor in the UK?
HARKE UK & Ireland offers more than basic ingredient supply. We combine deep industry experience, strong supplier relationships and technical services (including formulation development, regulatory advice and sample provision) to help customers develop effective and compliant household care products. Our HARKE Chemlink division specialises in household care ingredients and responsive local support.
What types of household care ingredients do you supply?
We supply a broad range of ingredients including anti-foam, bleaching agents, chelating agents, disinfection, fragrances, hydrotropes, odour absorbers, pearlisers & opacifiers, preservatives & biocides, rheology modifiers, speciality additives, surface care, surfactants, textile care and UV absorbers.
Can you help with formulation development for personal care products?
Yes, our expert technical team supports formulation development and optimisation. We can provide guidance on ingredient selection, troubleshoot formulation challenges, and assist with product performance testing from our on-site lab in Manchester.
Do you offer technical support for regulatory compliance?
Absolutely. HARKE UK & Ireland provides regulatory advice covering Safety Data Sheets (SDS), CLP classification and labelling, REACH, BPR and other relevant regulations to help ensure your household care products meet current standards.
Are your ingredients suitable for natural or sustainable formulations?
Yes, we have long championed green and sustainable ingredients. We work with principals and suppliers that offer innovative and naturally sourced household care ingredients, including sustainably derived actives and raw materials.
Do you hold stock locally in the UK?
Yes, HARKE UK & Ireland maintains UK warehousing and stockholding from our warehouse in Halifax, helping reduce lead times, support customer forecasting and ensure reliable delivery across the UK and Ireland.
How can I get samples or request a product brochure?
You can get samples, technical data or more information about our ingredients by contacting the HARKE UK & Ireland team (contact form below). You can also download our HI&I brochure on this page (just scroll back up to the top of the page and fill in the short form, or click here). We’re happy to support you with product information and personalised advice.
The Latest Household Care Ingredient News
Mild Anionic Surfactants: Sarcosinates, Taurates & Isethionates
This technical presentation explains the chemistry and properties (both physical and chemical) of the range of mild anionic surfactants we supply, including Alkyl Sarcosinates, Alkyl Methyl Taurates, and Alkyl Isethionates.
MACKAM Propionates: Multifunctional Surfactants for HI&I Formulations
Verdant’s range of MACKAM® Propionates deliver exceptional performance and flexibility across a range of applications, from acid cleaners and built alkaline cleaners to heavy-duty degreasers and oven cleaners.
Contact Us
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Harke UK & Ireland
Peter Minister House
26-30 Station Road
Urmston
Manchester
M41 9JQ - (+44) 161 629 2129
- (+44) 161 629 2128
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By Car
Limited visitor parking is available behind the Chemlink building. -
By Rail
The office is a few minutes walk from Urmston Railway Station
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