ACTI-CHEM FEATURE by TNT Multimedia Limited

A C T I - C H E M

FEATURE

best SUPPLYING THE

Acti-Chem is a highly specialised, multinational manufacturer and distributor of biocides, flame-retardants, personal care ingredients and other speciality chemicals. By Ian Armitage

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Acti-Chem FEATURE

ompetition in the chemicals industry is getting more intense. That is the view of Graeme Robinson, Managing Director of Acti-Chem S.A. (Pty) Ltd. Acti-Chem is a wholly owned subsidiary of an international group of companies, headquartered in the UK, with the main manufacturing plant and technical facility in Germany. Other production units and operating companies are strategically located in 16 countries worldwide. This extensive global network ensures not only rapid delivery, but also provides unrivalled technical support within easy reach of all markets. “Our roots in South Africa were firmly entrenched 40 years ago, providing innovative and technologically advanced chemicals to local industries and customers abroad,” says Robinson, who joined the business in 1997, becoming Managing Director in 2006. “One of the challenges we face on an ongoing basis is that competition has become more intense, not only through existing competitors but also new entrants wishing to gain a foothold in the industry. “We ascribe this to a large degree on the international financial fall-out of the last few years where economic growth in many parts of the world has stagnated or gone negative with some exceptions, notably China, resulting in many businesses, www.southafricamag.com

Acti-Chem FEATURE

not only locally but also internationally, aggressively seeking out new business opportunities and markets.” Despite increasing competition, Acti-Chem continues to go from strength to strength. “We were satisfied with our performance in 2011 and we achieved many of our objectives and targets and, where we didn’t, we weren’t far off,” Robinson says. Acti-Chem is a market leader in many markets and market segments and, where it isn’t, it has a significant presence. “Success for us is the collective success of our business rather than any specific area of operation,” Robinson says. “We focus on maintaining momentum in those areas where targets are being met or exceeded but we also actively and determinedly looking at those areas where we need to improve, where we can learn from past performances, and how we can move forward.”

Graeme Robinson, Managing Director, Acti-Chem S.A. (Pty) Ltd.

Baker Tilly Morrison Murray Baker Tilly Morrison Murray is a medium sized firm with 7 partners and some 60 staff. The firm practices in accounting, auditing, company and close corporation secretarial services, taxation services and advice including VAT and PAYE audits, administration of trusts and estates and personnel services including payroll. We have a wide range of clients operating in a wide range of industries. Our philosophy is to build lasting relationships with our clients, be accessible at all times to service their needs and ensure that we are equipped with the knowledge required to do so. With the implementation of the new Companies Act on 1 May 2011, come opportunities to grow our business and to provide value added services to our existing client base. With this new Companies Act which may see fewer companies requiring audits, we need to look for opportunities in other areas and one of these involves broad-based black economic empowerment (BBEEE) accreditation and another is to broaden our internal audit business.

We achieved many of our objectives and targets

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He is confident that the South African economy will remain resilient to external factors, namely Europe. “Although we don’t foresee any significant step up in the economic activity in the chemicals industry, we are anticipating that it will be relatively stable with small incremental increases in growth over the next few years.” Innovation is a vital ingredient for success and, as a multi national group, there are a number of initiatives currently taking place. “There is a lot currently taking place with regard to product innovation in our major R&D centres in Europe, which we are benefiting from and introducing to the South African market,” says Robinson. “Amongst others these revolve around green initiatives such as in our ACTICIDE® dry film applications where over a 10-year timeframe the Group has developed its protection technology for biocides into the AMME™ (Advanced Micro Matrix Embedding).

We focus on maintaining momentum

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Acti-Chem FEATURE

Metallica Chemicals Metallica Chemicals is proud to be associated with ActiChem as their manufacturing and distribution partner. Our association, which has stretched for over a decade, has blossomed into a relationship that has effected mutual stability and growth in a competitive market. We have tailor-made our operation to meet Acti-Chem’s short, medium and long-term needs. Exploring synergies between us and investment in resources has resulted in process optimizations, cost efficiencies and greener production. We are committed to delivering service excellence to ActiChem and being a key partner in their growth strategy.

“As our Group is opposed to animal testing and is a corporate sponsor of FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments), we became the first preservative producer to establish our own in vitro toxicological testing (IVT) facility,” he adds. “IVT supports the safety assessment of personal care, household and other industrial products without the use of animals. IVT provides the toxicological assessment of eye irritation, skin irritation, skin corrosion, phototoxicity and cytotoxicity of cosmetic ingredients and finished product formulations. This allows our customers to benefit and make use of this initiative. 6

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“Our products have also received ready acceptance by users and regulatory bodies such as the US EPA and FDA. We’re also supporting our major actives through the European BPD and other regulatory bodies.” Robinson is confident of future success. “As a business we are well established in our chosen fields of operation where we focus on maintaining and consolidating our position. “We are continuously seeking out new opportunities but predominantly those that align themselves with our current strengths and offerings and we’ll continue to pursue these objectives into 2012 and beyond. “Although we don’t have any immediately capital expansion plans in South Africa, our Group is actively expanding its international foot print into countries such as China and Brazil.” Acti-Chem’s activities centre on the supply of a wide range of products including ACTICIDE®, AFLAMMAN®, AFLAMMIT®, FLAMMENTIN® and its Microcare® cosmetics and personal care ingredients range.

“ACTICIDE®, generically known as biocides, offer safe and effective protection against the microbiological spoilage of a wide range of products, including paints, polymer emulsions, adhesives, inks, metalworking ﬂuids, detergents, pulp/ paper and water treatment, wood, plastics and leather,” Robinson says. “Our technical expertise and experience in local and global markets has firmly established Acti-Chem as a leading supplier of isothiazolinone based biocides and an acknowledged world leader in the development of ﬂame retardant chemicals. Our extensive range of personal care products have been specially designed to meet the exacting standards demanded by this industry.” To learn more visit www.acti-chem.co.za. END

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Block C Surrey Park 6 Barham Road Westville Kwa-Zulu Natal Tel: +27 (0)31 2669531 Fax: +27 (0)31 2669556 Email: saleskzn@acti-chem.com