Chromium III Chemicals have been manufactured in Reading for nearly 100 years. The business started in 1913 producing Guignets Green, for use as a pigment in paints.

In 1993 the business was sold to OXKEM, a privately owned, independent chemical company. OXKEM has increased its range of chemicals and now produces organic and inorganic metal salts which are used in areas as diverse as agriculture, catalysts, ceramics, electronics, leather, pigments and dyes, surface treatment, paper, textiles and university research.