CHEMICAL NEEDS FULFILLING
REDA Chemicals is a leading distributor for speciality chemicals and ingredients, serving clients from across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Sales Manager Rahul Roy discussed the company’s sustainability initiatives and decarbonising operations with Inside Sustainability.
ASa company, REDA Chemicals is committed to delivering exceptional value to clients while making a positive impact on the environment, Sales Manager Rahul Roy said: “Our focus on sustainability, innovation, quality and fostering strong customer relationships uniquely positions us in the marketplace. Beyond reducing our carbon footprint, we are actively enhancing and growing our presence, helping our customers advance their energy efficiency goals.”
From more than 35 strategically-located sales offices, warehouses and labs, REDA serves customers around the world. From small local producers to major multinational companies, REDA provides specialised products that bring value to its customer’s brands.
REDA’s global footprint is supported by the broader REDA group with a workforce of more than 3,000 professionals, which includes divisions such as REDA Water, REDA Energy, REDA Food, REDA Lab, REDA Hazard Control, REDA Process and others. This integration allows the company to leverage a wealth of resources, improving its ability to satisfy customer requirements and foster knowledge-sharing across sectors.
“The diversity in REDA fosters an invaluable ecosystem of knowledge sharing,” added Mr Roy. “I have had the privilege of collaborating with industry experts, both within REDA and among our partners. These frequent interactions are a wellspring of innovation, allowing us to cross-pollinate ideas and best practices across sectors.”
Driving sustainable progress
The company is dedicated to continuous development, which is demonstrated through REDA’s evolving product range. With the demand for sustainable products growing across industries, REDA’s commitment to environmental stewardship drives the company forward.
“Our Saudi affiliate has already achieved a Gold rated EcoVadis sustainability assessment,” explained Mr Roy. “Our other regional offices are currently being assessed by EcoVadis, reflecting our dedication to achieving high standards across all regions.
We believe that our industry plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for people around the globe, and with this responsibility comes a steadfast commitment to responsible care.”
Most of the company’s key suppliers also have an EcoVadis score of Gold or higher,
reflecting REDA’s commitment to best practices throughout the supply chain. To further minimise Scope 3 emissions, the company optimises load efficiency, consolidated shipments, and encourages fuel-efficient driving techniques in deliveries.
REDA facilitates conversations around sustainability throughout its workforce, where employees discuss sustainability-driven solutions and business models.
“We encourage volunteering on environmental projects,” continued Mr Roy. “I went to plant mangroves in Umm Al Quwain for an event organised by Emirates Nature-WWF. This assisted the natural regeneration of
the mangroves and wider ecosystem. Such experiences not only contribute to the local ecosystem’s health, but also reinforce our company’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen, actively contributing to the environmental well-being of the communities we serve.
“Looking ahead, REDA plans to set science-based carbon reduction targets in line with the Science Based Targets initiative. We are also exploring the CDP disclosure programme to benchmark environmental risks and improve operational efficiency. This is crucial, as we aim to push our carbon footprint reduction goals.”
Growth and sustainability
While REDA has experienced notable growth in the Middle Eastern, North African and Asian markets, the company is also expanding its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Building upon its office in Nairobi, Kenya, REDA has strengthened its footprint by establishing local offices, sales and technical service teams, logistics centres and warehouses in South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda.
“We’re actively working to generate new revenue streams by creating opportunities for market differentiation, expansion and growth,” commented Mr Roy. “However, what truly sets us apart is our commitment to sustainability and local impact. By establishing a local presence as close as possible to our end-users, we create maximum value for customers and support the area’s goals of social, environmental and economic development.”
In South Africa, REDA sponsors local cricket and football teams to foster community spirit and provide opportunities. Additionally, employees regularly participate in wildlife conservation projects. This has included protecting the critically endangered northern white rhinoceros in Kenya. Such projects help in creating a deep sense of purpose within the company and align REDA with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Innovative energy efficiency
REDA’s commitment to sustainability extends to its product offerings.
“For instance, one of our standout offerings is energy savings for high-energy-consuming machines and processes through the use of specialty lubricants from Kluber Lubrication,” explained Mr Roy. “These speciality lubricants improve efficiency, reduce costs and help our customers meet their sustainability targets.
“The process begins with energy consulting, where we evaluate the equipment and identify the energy-saving potential. By simply switching from conventional oils to high-performance lubricants, customers can significantly reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The financial benefits are measurable and are certified by third party agencies, offering tangible proof of savings.”
REDA also offers sustainable solutions across various industries, such as biodegradable polymers from WACKER, water-based drilling fluids from MacDermid, synthetic heat transfer fluids from Eastman, sustainable offerings from DOW Chemicals, Lanxess and many others.
Eastman and REDA collaborate closely to enhance energy efficiency by integrating
innovative solutions into their product offerings. REDA distributes Eastman’s synthetic heat transfer fluids, designed to optimise energy use in various industrial processes. This partnership allows REDA to offer high-performance solutions to its customers, helping them reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Together, Eastman and REDA provide comprehensive support to end-users by conducting energy consultations to identify potential savings and implementing specialty products that align with sustainability goals. This collaborative approach ensures that end-users benefit from reduced operational costs and improved environmental impact.
“These are just a few of the many products we provide that align with REDA’s mission to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals,” said Mr Roy.
A responsible partner
As the world moves toward Net Zero, REDA Chemicals is positioning itself to play a key role in this transition, according to Mr Roy: “As a distribution company, we sit at the heart of complex supply chains, connecting producers and consumers of chemicals across various sectors. This places us in a unique position to make a tangible impact, both upstream and downstream, in reducing carbon footprints.
“We understand that the journey to Net Zero requires capital allocation and operational shifts, as outlined by leading global studies. The transformation will demand further investments in new technologies, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient processes.”
REDA is preparing to contribute to this shift by integrating more eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions into its product portfolio, optimising transportation and logistics to reduce emissions, and collaborating with partners who are equally committed to sustainability.
“The Net Zero transition is front-loaded: we believe our sustainable investments will yield positive returns over time,” said Mr Roy. “We see growth opportunities arising from this transition, particularly from the demand for low-carbon products and support services. Attending events like ADIPEC allows us to present these solutions, as well as actively participating in the global dialogue on the energy transition, green chemistry and sustainable business models.”
Through industry events, REDA hopes to build collaborative partnerships that contribute to the future of sustainability. By connecting with industry leaders from around the world, the company can expand its global footprint and drive meaningful progress in areas such as sustainability and innovation.
“We look forward to the dynamic conversations and partnerships that emerge from
industry events, it’s where ideas from mature markets blend with the unique needs of developing regions, driving meaningful progress in areas like sustainability and innovation,” continued Mr Roy, in conclusion.
“This will help us, and the wider industry, to forge a path toward a more resilient and sustainable future.” n
Sales Manager
Rahul Roy
