The birch tar has very close properties as pine tar from what I could read.I have been unable to find a UK supplier of the Bickmore and Farnam brands, perhaps they are not available over here?
The problem is, as Saponista noted, that the pine tar products here in the UK do not have the ingredients listed on the packaging
So I have been busy doing a little homework which I hope will eventually prove helpful for us UK soapers
The Swedish company from your links, 'Auson', have two UK suppliers listed on their website, one of which stocks their pine tar; they are called Timbersave and are located in Warrington:
http://www.timbersave.co.uk/index.p...ch&filter_name=pine tar&filter_category_id=64
I have emailed them asking them to please confirm which of their Auson brand pine tars is 100% pure.
Apart from the Auson products from that one supplier I've not as yet been able to find any other 'Pine Tar' available in the UK, apart from the 'Stockholm Tar' used for hoof treatment. Here's a list:
http://www.nextag.co.uk/stockholm-tar/compare-html#!
So the brands of 'Stockholm Tar' available in the UK are:
Battles,
Carr, Day & Martin (- they make Vanner & Prest Stockholm Hoof Tar),
Equimims,
Gold Label (- make 'thick' and also 'liquid' versions), and
Lincoln.
(This may not be a complete list but they are what I have found up to now).
I have emailed the manufacturers of the first four asking them if their Stockhom Tar is 100% pure or does it contain added ingredients.
I could not locate the manufacturer's contact details for the last one (Lincoln), so I have emailed a major supplier and asked them instead.
I'll update this thread as and when I get any replies.
Oh I also did a search for a supplier of pharmaceutical grade - 'BP' - pine tar, and found this UK supplier:
http://www.toocle.com/United_KingdomSuppliers/612885/Thick-Pine-Tar-BP-3002710.html
I have contacted them describing myself as a small hobby soaper and queried the availability and price of small quantities (~1 kg) and carriage costs etc.
I daresay I'd likely not use them myself at this stage as I would expect the cost of Pine Tar BP to be beyond my meagre soaping budget, and besides I like the sound of the Auson stuff.
But some of us Brits who might move on at some stage to eventually sell our soaps may find the information useful.
I'll post their response when I receive it
Oh I also did a search for a supplier of pharmaceutical grade - 'BP' - pine tar, and found this UK supplier:
http://www.toocle.com/United_KingdomSuppliers/612885/Thick-Pine-Tar-BP-3002710.html
I have contacted them describing myself as a small hobby soaper and queried the availability and price of small quantities (~1 kg) and carriage costs etc.
I daresay I'd likely not use them myself at this stage as I would expect the cost of Pine Tar BP to be beyond my meagre soaping budget, and besides I like the sound of the Auson stuff.
But some of us Brits who might move on at some stage to eventually sell our soaps may find the information useful.
I'll post their response when I receive it
EMAIL RECEIVED FROM GOLD LABEL:
Hi xxxx
No, our Stockholm Tar has other additives. We can provide pure Pine Tar. Need to know how much, then will give you a price.
Kind Regards
R P Newsholme
Roland Newsholme
General Manager
Gold Label UK
Stockcare Ltd
83 West Street
Leven
Beverley
East Yorks
HU17 5LR
Registered in England 1726981
...........................................
I have emailed Mr Newsholme back asking whether he is referring to the Thick Tar or the Liquid or both, and what the additives are, since I and other soapers on this forum have used these tars in their soaps. I'm awaiting his reply.
