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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.
The 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 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 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. This includes the recent installation of a 500m³ bulk butane storage vessel, highlighting the company’s commitment to its customers, specifically those operating in the aerosol industry, as it has helped to improve the continuity of propellant supply.
“Our commitment to excellent service goes beyond supplying high-quality products to customers. We spend an enormous amount of time and effort to educate customers on propellant safety while ensuring we remain abreast of latest international developments in good safety practices,” says Philip Cloete, MD of Puregas.
For many years, the Puregas Partnership Awards have honoured customers for their achievements in safety, compliance and business excellence. The awards are primarily based on good safety practices and standards in the areas of propellant handling and manufacturing. This is evaluated through an annual safety audit conducted at customers’ facilities.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, ROYDEN VICE
Wow, 50 years old! In today’s world this is a great achievement. Thank you to our customers and suppliers for being part of our company’s success over the years. We greatly appreciate and value your support.
To our employees, thank you for your hard work and dedication. I have been part of the industrial gas business for most of my life. Being involved as a shareholder and chairman of Puregas has been the most rewarding experience of my professional career – because of our friendly, hardworking and dedicated employees.
An anniversary is a good occasion to look back on what has been achieved. From humble beginnings in 1971, Puregas has evolved into a major player in the aerosol propellant and broader speciality gases industry. The company has gone from strength to strength and trebled in size since 2006.
We focussed on becoming less commoditised by expanding to being a broader speciality gaseous chemicals business. Puregas also continued to strive to be the best propellants supplier in Southern Africa. Working to achieve this goal, we have continually invested in additional storage facilities, both at Puregas and our customers’ premises, and in increased logistics capacity.
One of the things that makes the Puregas business so special and successful, is its people. Our management team and employees have extensive knowledge and experience in the small and specialised industry in which Puregas operates. This is coupled with our excellent safety ethic, which gives Puregas a good foundation for continued growth in the coming years.
Being part of an organisation with such a laudable 50-year history is a matter of great pride for me. Looking back on these past successes brings into sharp focus our desire to achieve more as Puregas looks forward to five more decades of success, growth and collaboration with our customers, suppliers and stakeholders.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF PUREGAS
2021: Puregas celebrates five decades in business and looks forward to a period of significant expansion over the next three to five years.
2018: A 500m³ bulk butane storage vessel is installed at the Puregas plant in Alrode.
2016: Puregas diversifies into the beverage grade carbon dioxide business.
2014: Puregas enters into the supply of anhydrous ammonia.
2010: The company’s operations are expanded into niche and specialty gases and gaseous chemicals.
2006: Royden Vice and a consortium of investors purchase the company after seeing the immense potential in Puregas.
2004: Puregas installs a new propellant processing plant.
1990/91: The shift towards predominantly hydrocarbon propellants and butane/ propane propellants results in Puregas becoming a significant player in the aerosols industry.
February 1986: Dave Hidden acquires Puregas from Kevin Taylor.
July 1971: Kevin Taylor establishes Puregas as the first hydrocarbon aerosol propellant company in South Africa.
CONFIDENT ABOUT THE FUTURE
Even though Puregas has grown significantly over the past five decades, it has remained a relatively small business with a somewhat small staff complement, allowing all employees to feel valued and at home.
“We are fortunate to have a team of experienced and extremely committed employees at all levels,” says Cloete, adding that it is this individual and team commitment which differentiates the company from competitors. “It is rare to experience a team that stretches from shareholders and employees to suppliers and customers – all working together in an efficient way to ultimately benefit all stakeholders involved.”
Despite the many challenges our country faces, Puregas is a proudly South African business that is optimistic about the future.
“The tenacity of various South African industries has been evident throughout the pandemic. We feel a great sense of pride knowing that Puregas belongs to one of those industries. We strongly believe our country and the African continent offer immense opportunity for businesses and individuals and that these opportunities are better served locally, by a local company,” he adds.
For this reason, Puregas’ primary focus of servicing its existing customers and markets will remain a priority as it endeavours to support the businesses that assisted Puregas in reaching its 50-year milestone.
The company will continue to invest in its aerosol propellant supply chain to guarantee customers the same level of service and supply security in the future. There is strong growth on Puregas’ agenda thanks to the backing of its shareholders, which include Royden Vice as the majority shareholder and the Mineworkers Investment Company, through MIC Capital Partners. The company is also making significant progress to grow its product range and increase the markets in which it operates. “Products change and so does the demand on raw materials. To stay abreast, Puregas has continuously invested in the best possible purification technology, providing the local industry with the highest quality cosmetic grade hydrocarbon propellant on the market,” highlights Cloete. “Over the years, Puregas has never disappointed and we are excited to continue this journey for the next 50 years.” •
A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
Puregas has been involved in numerous initiatives to give back to the community in which it operates. The beneficiaries of its social responsibility projects include: • Forever Friends Foundation which received a donation of lifeline kits for underprivileged • Wild Hearts Foundation through which
Puregas sponsors sanitary towels for schoolgirls. Puregas also takes part in Mandela Day on an annual basis by donating 67 food parcels to people in need and it donates Christmas presents and a meal for each child to a chosen nursery school. Puregas introduced an education support scheme whereby the company contributes financially to the schooling of employee’s children. The company also provides bursaries for tertiary studies to employees’ children who display noteworthy academic merit. These types of programmes create a strong sense of appreciation among employees and contribute to building team spirit and comradery within the company.
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
According to Puregas, ultimately its customers are the reason for the company’s existence. In some cases, it continues to supply companies it has been doing business with since the 1970s. Puregas is proud of its close customer relationships, which are evident in the congratulatory messages from customers included in this article on the yellow post-it notes.
