AEROSOLS
A 50-year celebration
of quality, safety and innovation The history of Puregas is deeply rooted in South Africa’s aerosol and foam blowing industry. For half a century, it has been at the heart of important local developments in propellant technology and safety. In celebration of Puregas’ 50th anniversary, Abby Vorster explores the company’s journey towards this incredible milestone.
T
he story of Puregas began in July 1971 when it was founded by Kevin Taylor as the first hydrocarbon aerosol propellant company in the country. A local refinery had shown interest in producing hydrocarbons for aerosol applications, and so the business was born. Although aerosol manufacturing in South Africa started around 1953, during those early years the propellants of choice were R-11 and R-12. Subsequently, hydrocarbon propellants were introduced, but they were not particularly popular, and manufacturers were slow to adopt the-then new technology. With improvements in the purification technology, hydrocarbon propellants started to be used in some locally-produced aerosols. Yet the major change to this technology came after 1989 when the Montreal Protocol was signed and implemented. The protocol stipulated the phasing-out of CFCs due to their classification as an ozone depleting substance. It forced the aerosol industry to turn itself to DME and predominantly hydrocarbon propellants. Between 1990 and
Philip Cloete, MD of Puregas
12
1991 there was significant shift to butane/ propane propellants which saw Puregas become a significant industry player. Aerosol propellant is an integral part of any aerosol product. The availability of high-quality propellant is often the enabler that allows a country to develop an aerosol industry. For this reason, Puregas’ path to growth occurred in parallel with aerosol manufacturing in South Africa. The company is honoured to belong to such a vibrant and successful industry and to be a member of the Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association of South Africa.
A PORTFOLIO OF SPECIALITY PRODUCTS Puregas’ propellent plant and head office are located in Alrode, Gauteng. Today, its operations span niche and speciality gases and gaseous chemicals, such as hydrocarbons and dimethyl ether propellants. Special gas mixtures, fire suppression products, anhydrous ammonia and beverage grade carbon dioxide are also included in the
The current Puregas propellant plant
JUNE 2021 // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
The propellant plant in 1988
company’s product range. It supplies these products throughout South Africa and delivers products in bulk and cylinder format to all neighbouring countries and as far as Zambia and Tanzania. Through the continued investment of its shareholders in the business, Puregas has increased its product storage and logistics capacity and improved its purification technology. Revlon – “Tha nk you for the excellent service This includes the recent , professional at titude, proacti installation of a 500m³ veness and
being great busin ess partner. Throughout ma ny years of dealing with Pu regas I’ve never been disappoint ed. Well done and good luck fo r the next 50 years an d more”
