Newton, Chambers & Company

Newton, Chambers & Company was a historic British industrial conglomerate founded in 1793, based at the Thorncliffe Works in Sheffield. Although initially focused on iron founding and coal mining, the company established a significant presence in the healthcare sector through its chemical division, which developed the famous Izal disinfectant. Izal, a coal-tar derivative, became a staple of public health and hygiene in the United Kingdom, used extensively in medical and domestic settings for infection control. The company's chemical products expanded to include soaps, germicides, and sanitary papers, positioning them as a key supplier to the British healthcare infrastructure. The company's healthcare legacy continued until its acquisition in 1972, after which its chemical and hygiene brands were sold to various pharmaceutical and consumer health firms.