Blog - WestChem Technologies

08OctOctober 8, 2026

Follow the Formula: What to Look for in an Industrial Chemical Manufacturer and Distributor

When you're sourcing industrial chemicals, it's easy to focus on the product itself. Does it meet the specification? Is it available? What does it cost? Those questions matter. But understanding who manufactures the chemistry, how it gets to you and what expertise and support stand behind it can be just as important. In other words, follow the formula. Who Actually Manufactures Your Industrial Chemicals? Not...

By amyChemical Product Supply, Custom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product DevelopmentArticles, chemical, chemistry, distribution, industrial, westchem0 Comments

Industrial Chemical Why Viscosity Matters in Industrial Chemical Performance

18SepSeptember 18, 2026

Why Viscosity Matters in Industrial Chemical Performance

When you think about what makes an industrial chemical perform properly, the formula itself is only part of the equation. How a product flows, spreads and stays where it is applied can have a significant impact on how well it works. That’s where viscosity testing comes in. WHAT IS VISCOSITY? Simply put, viscosity is a measure of a liquid’s resistance to flow, or...

By amyCustom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product Developmentchemical, chemistry, industrial, specialty chemical, testing, viscosity, westchem0 Comments

Paint Stripping: The Benefits of Using an Inhibitor

23AugAugust 23, 2026

Protect Aluminum During Paint Stripping: The Benefits of Using an Inhibitor

Paint stripping is about more than just removing a coating—it's about protecting the surface underneath. Whether you're refinishing aluminum wheel rims or other aluminum components, small process improvements can help preserve the base metal, extend the life of your stripper, and deliver more consistent results. Strip the Coating. Not the Wheel. James, WestChem's Senior Chemist Lab Manager, demonstrates how adding an aluminum...

By amyCustom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product Development, NewsArticles, chemical, chemistry, industrial, Paint, Paint Strippers, Training, westchem0 Comments

WestChem Slient Journey - Customer Experience

03JulJuly 3, 2026

Understanding the WestChem Client Journey: From First Challenge to Long-Term Partnership

At WestChem, every client journey starts with a challenge and evolves into a long-term partnership built on performance, reliability, and continuous improvement. Here’s what that journey looks like from the client’s perspective. 1. A Problem to Solve Most clients come to WestChem with a specific issue that needs attention. It could be tools wearing out too quickly, inconsistent...

By amyChemical Product Supply, NewsArticles, canadian, customer experience, industrial, Training, westchem0 Comments

Building Resilience Through Smarter Supply Chains

11JunJune 11, 2026

Building Resilience Through Smarter Supply Chains

Manufacturers across North America continue to navigate changing regulations, transportation costs, supply chain disruptions, and trade uncertainty. At WestChem, we believe the best response isn't to react to every challenge. It's to build a business that is resilient, adaptable, and focused on customer success. Proudly Canadian, Focused on North America WestChem is proud to be a Canadian company, but our customers operate throughout...

By amyChemical Product Supply, Custom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product DevelopmentArticles, canadian, westchem0 Comments

Controlling bacteria, fungi, and slime buildup in industrial systems.

02JunJune 2, 2026

Oxidizing Biocides vs. Non-Oxidizing Biocides

When it comes to controlling bacteria, fungi, and slime buildup in industrial systems, the conversation often comes down to two categories of chemistry: Oxidizing Biocides vs. Non-Oxidizing Biocides Both can be highly effective, but they work very differently — and choosing the wrong approach can create performance issues, corrosion concerns, operator complaints, or ongoing biological problems that never fully go away. Oxidizing Biocides Oxidizing biocides work...

By amyCustom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product DevelopmentArticles, biocides, canadian, chemical, chemistry, industrial, Preventive Maintenance, westchem0 Comments

westchem coolant performance

14MayMay 14, 2026

Coolant Performance: A checklist for basic maintenance

Coolant performance is getting more attention right now—and for good reason. As tooling costs rise, small inefficiencies that were once easy to ignore are becoming more expensive. One of the most common places shops lose performance is in their coolant system, often without realizing it. Before looking at tools or process changes, it’s worth taking a closer look at...

By amyChemical Product Supply, Custom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product Development, Training & Tutorialscanadian, chemistry, coolant, lubricants, machine shop, metalworking, tooling costs, Training, westchem0 Comments

ask adam at westchem about reducing tooling costs

01MayMay 1, 2026

When Tooling Costs Spike, Coolant Becomes a Profit Strategy

Tungsten carbide is not something most shops think about. Until the price jumps. And right now, it has. Across North America, carbide tooling costs have risen sharply. This is being driven by global supply pressure and China controlling a significant share of tungsten production. Replacing tools just got a lot more expensive. The Shift Most Shops Have Not Made Yet When tooling costs rise,...

By amyChemical Product Supply, Newscanada, chemistry, coolant, machine shop, tooling costs, tungsten carbide, westchem0 Comments

Quality Control at WestChem

15AprApril 15, 2026

From Curiosity to Consistency: How Quality Control Drives WestChem Excellence

At WestChem Technologies, quality isn’t left to chance — it’s built into every process, every batch, and every product that leaves our facility. Behind that consistency is a dedicated Quality Control team, including professionals like Dailan Perry, whose hands-on experience and analytical mindset help ensure that every formulation performs exactly as expected. Built from the Ground Up Dailan’s experience with WestChem began early,...

By amyCustom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product DevelopmentArticles, chemistry, excellence, industrial, iso 9001, iso 9001 certified, westchem0 Comments

Chemical Blast Replacement

26MarMarch 26, 2026

Chemical Blast Replacement: Is There a Better Way to Prepare Metal?

Metal finishing remains one of WestChem’s core markets — and surface preparation is where performance begins. For decades, abrasive blasting has been the standard method for removing scale, coatings, and contaminants before coating or finishing. It works. But it isn’t without cost. Blasting can be: Expensive to operate Labour-intensive Noisy and dusty Weather-dependent (especially in Canadian winters) Difficult to control consistently indoors As facilities look...

By amyChemical Product Supply, Custom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product Developmentblasting, chemical, chemical blast replacement, chemistry, industrial, mechanical, metalworking, pre-treatment, Training, westchem0 Comments

Industrial Trial was at risk for a customer

09MarMarch 9, 2026

When It Matters Most: Going the Extra Mile for an Industrial Trial

In any industrial trial, success often comes down to preparation, precision, and timing. But occasionally, it also comes down to determination — and a willingness to do whatever it takes to make things work. This is one of those stories. The Challenge: A Critical Chemical and a Narrow Window Ahead of a major trial with a large manufacturer in Calgary, a key chemical...

By amyCustom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product Developmentcanadian, chemical, chemistry, customer service, emergency response, industrial, partnership, teamwork, westchem0 Comments

Water Break Free Surface - WestChem Case Study

03MarMarch 3, 2026

Case Study: What a “Water Break-Free” Surface Tells You About Your Process

Are you familiar with a water break-free surface? In industrial cleaning and pretreatment, results don’t hide. The surface tells the story. In this case, we’re looking at steel parts coming directly out of a full pretreatment process. What we see is exactly what you want to see: a water break-free surface, along with the subtle blue/purple coloration that indicates a successful zirconium coating. These...

By amyCustom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product Development, Newschemical process, cleaning process, test, water break free, water break free surface, zirconium coating0 Comments

18FebFebruary 18, 2026

Built by People: 25 Years of WestChem Interview with Darric Perry

In this episode of Built by People: 25 Years of WestChem, we sit down with Darric Perry to reflect on WestChem’s journey—where it started, where it stands today, and where it’s headed next. Darric shares insight into the evolution of people, products, and innovation at WestChem, highlighting how the company has grown while staying grounded in its values. From lessons learned...

By MeringueNews0 Comments

11FebFebruary 11, 2026

Field-Proven Protection: Choosing the Right Rust Preventative for the Job

When it comes to rust prevention, performance in the field matters more than anything on paper. Recently, a customer put TechInhib 485 to the test in a real-world scenario. They treated one stack of steel with the product and left another untreated to compare the results over time. The feedback? It worked exactly as intended. Why TechInhib 485 Stands Out TechInhib 485 is a water-soluble corrosion...

By amyChemical Product SupplyRust, rust prevention, rust protection0 Comments

Wear-in vs Wear-out and why lubricant is important

27JanJanuary 27, 2026

Wear-in vs Wear-out: how metal parts learn to work together over time with proper lubrication

How metal parts wear and “learn” to work together over time and why lubricant is paramount to longevity 1. Wear-in vs Wear-out (the big distinction) Early life: “wear-in” New metal parts often have microscopic roughness, even if they look smooth. When parts first start working together, those high points gently abrade or polish each other. This can actually improve performance by increasing...

By amyCustom Chemical Formulation, Testing & Product Development, Training & Tutorialsexcellence, fluids, industrial, lubricants, metalworking, westchem0 Comments

TechKleen 601 rust remover was WestChem's product of the year

15JanJanuary 15, 2026

Ask Adam: What Was the Top-Selling Product of 2025 — and Why?

When customers keep coming back to the same rust remover product year after year, there’s usually a good reason. For 2025, the top-selling product at WestChem Technologies was TechKleen 601 — and its popularity wasn’t driven by marketing hype. It was driven by performance, safety, and real-world results on the shop floor. So what makes TechKleen 601 stand out? We asked Adam. Why TechKleen 601 Rust Remover Was...

By amyChemical Product Supply, News0 Comments

30DecDecember 30, 2025

Emergency Preparedness, Planned Shutdowns & Preventive Maintenance (ISO 9001–Aligned)

Today we're talking about emergency preparedness. How equipped are you to handle emergency or planned closures that bring reduced staffing, modified hours, and temporary shutdowns. Under ISO 9001, these conditions represent known operational risks that should be addressed through structured controls — not assumptions. ISO 9001 emphasizes risk-based thinking, process control, and operational continuity. 1. Complete Preventive Maintenance During Planned Downtime Clause 8.1 (Operational Planning and...

By amyTraining & Tutorialsemergency preparedness, emergency response, iso 9001, iso 9001 certified, Planned Shutdowns, Preventive Maintenance0 Comments

Why pH Calibration Matters

19DecDecember 19, 2025

Why pH Calibration Matters

The point of pH and conductivity calibration is simple but critical: to make sure the numbers you’re seeing are accurate, trustworthy, and meaningful for decisions and compliance. pH probes don’t stay accurate forever. Over time they drift because of: Aging sensors Coating or fouling from samples Temperature changes Regular use and storage conditions Calibration ensures: The pH reading reflects the true acidity or alkalinity Small changes (which...

By amyTraining & Tutorialstips, Training0 Comments

ISO 9001 Success Guide: Proven Tips for Strong Quality Management

ISO 9001 Success Guide: Proven Tips for Strong Quality Management

01DecDecember 1, 2025

ISO 9001 Success Guide: Proven Tips for Strong Quality Management

ISO 9001: Tips & Steps for Success A practical guide for WestChem clients Implementing or maintaining ISO 9001 isn’t just about passing an audit — it’s about building a stronger, more predictable, and more efficient operation. Here are the key steps and habits that consistently lead to success. 1. Commit to a Process Approach ISO 9001 is built on how work flows...

By amyNews, Training & Tutorialschemical, iso, iso 9001 certified, westchem0 Comments

06NovNovember 6, 2025

WestChem Ignites a “Chain Reaction” to Celebrate 25 Years of Trusted Chemistry

WestChem Ignites a “Chain Reaction” to Celebrate 25 Years of Trusted Chemistry CALGARY, AB As WestChem Solutions prepares to mark its 25th anniversary in 2026, the company is kicking off the celebrations early with a social media campaign designed to spark a chain reaction of community connection, gratitude, and fun. UPDATE: Jan 30th Thank you to everyone who played along last year and helped us to...

By MeringueNews0 Comments

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