Ordering & Samples FAQ

The usual flow is: describe the application and requirement, we recommend matching grades, samples ship, you run a bench trial. Samples are typically 100-500 g, enough for several small-scale trials.

To avoid a round of guesswork, tell us the product category (pressed powder, liquid foundation, lipstick, sunscreen), whether the system is water-in-oil or oil-in-water, the main sensory and performance targets, and the process conditions such as pressing pressure and dispersion equipment. With that, we can shortlist grades instead of having you test everything.

Custom-treated samples take longer because the surface treatment is scheduled as a separate batch. Lead time is confirmed once the treatment plan is agreed.

For standard grades the MOQ follows the packaging format, typically one 25 kg drum, with some higher-value grades available in 5 kg or 10 kg packs.

Custom-treated powders carry a higher MOQ because surface treatment is a batch operation and equipment cleaning costs cannot be spread over a small quantity. The exact figure depends on the treatment chemistry and process complexity.

At the sampling stage, validate with standard grades first and discuss customisation once the direction is confirmed. This avoids committing to customisation costs while the direction is still uncertain.

Yes, customisation is one of our core capabilities. Adjustable variables include the treatment chemistry and coating level, the particle size distribution, and the blend ratio with other powders.

The right starting point is your formulation problem, not a powder specification. A single symptom such as pilling in liquid foundation can map to three different treatment directions, so we first establish whether it is a dispersion, compatibility or over-absorption issue, and may ask for a sample to verify.

Once a custom grade is confirmed, we retain a reference sample and build a technical parameter file, and subsequent batches run against that standard to hold batch-to-batch consistency.

Standard grades are normally stocked, with shipment scheduled after order confirmation. Custom grades are queued against the treatment process and take noticeably longer.

Three factors drive lead time: whether the grade is standard, the packaging format, and whether additional test reports are required. If a project is time-critical, state the required arrival date at the enquiry stage so we can confirm against the production schedule rather than estimate.

For export orders, remember that inspection, customs clearance and freight usually take longer than production itself, so build in that margin early.

Yes, all three. The COA is issued per batch with measured values for that batch; the MSDS follows the standard format; the TDS gives typical properties and application guidance.

Do not confuse them. The COA covers actual data for the delivered batch and is used for acceptance. The TDS carries typical values and is used for formula design. The MSDS carries safety information for storage, transport and regulatory filing.

For export or registration purposes we can also supply composition declarations, regulatory compliance statements and third-party test reports. Request these at the order stage so nothing is missing at customs.

Powder pricing has four components: raw material cost, processing method, particle size and purity control, and surface treatment. For the same nominal specification, most of the spread sits in the last two.

A narrow particle size distribution means lower yield and higher cost, but noticeably better batch consistency and performance. Coating level and uniformity directly affect dispersion, and under-treatment cannot be compensated by dosing more. Neither gap shows up on a TDS; only testing reveals it.

When comparing quotes, compare three things alongside price: the full particle size distribution curve (not just D50), the treatment chemistry and coating level, and historical batch-to-batch variation data. Buying on unit price alone often delivers a product that meets the spec sheet and still will not run.

Start with risk, not performance. List what could go wrong before you discuss specifications.

Four steps. First, lock down the critical parameters: identify the two or three properties that actually drive performance in your formula, such as oil absorption, D50, surface area or treatment type, and treat everything else as secondary. Second, compare like with like: require the domestic sample to be tested by the same method and ignore catalogue numbers, because data from different test conditions is not comparable. Third, run a bench trial replacing only that one powder at 50%, 75% and 100% substitution, measuring viscosity, stability, color difference and skin feel. Fourth, run accelerated stability for three months at 40 °C plus light exposure, watching for separation, color drift and pH shift.

Two things people skip. Documentation cannot be waived: if the domestic alternative cannot supply equivalently complete COA, MSDS and REACH declarations, EU and US customers will not accept it no matter how good the performance is. And batch consistency is usually where imports actually win, not on single-batch specs but on low variation, so request data from three to five consecutive lots and look at the spread.

For standard fumed silica the gap has largely closed. What remains sits in high purity, specialized surface treatment, and batch consistency.

Where domestic product matches: specific surface area of 150-400 m²/g, pH, loss on drying and loss on ignition are achievable at the same level by mainstream Chinese producers, typically 20-40% cheaper. In coatings, adhesives, and cosmetic thickening or anti-settling applications, most formulas can switch directly.

Where it still trails: purity, meaning trace iron and copper content, where imported grades hold tighter batch-to-batch consistency and which matters for premium cosmetics and electronics. Surface treatment, where hydrophobic grades treated with dimethyldichlorosilane still lag on treatment uniformity and residual hydroxyl control, showing up as different dispersion difficulty and thixotropy in the formula. And batch variation, where an imported product may hold specific surface area within plus or minus 5% across ten lots while domestic ranges are wider and warrant incoming inspection on every lot.

Practical guidance: grade by application. For functional roles such as thickening and anti-settling, substitution risk is low. For optical and sensory roles, always prototype first. For pharmaceutical or premium skincare, keep the import or run dual sourcing. And do not switch in one step — blend at 30% for two months and watch stability before committing.