| 18 August 2009
Orbichem Petrochemicals, a 100% black-owned supplier of petrochemicals to the domestic and export markets, is celebrating its fifth year of operation. Since its inception, Orbichem Petrochemicals has shown strong annual growth in the marketplace, having found a highly valuable niche in the product supply chain.Cliff Classen, managing director of Orbichem Petrochemicals, says the company has “Shown phenomenal growth since its inception in 2002, for which we are very grateful to our customers.” From its new offices in the Tyger Falls business district of Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs Classen said: “Suddenly we are five years old and have come of age in many respects from our initial days of wax import/export trading and consulting.” Today, clients of Orbichem Petrochemicals include a diverse and eminent range of manufacturers of finished chemical, petroleum and healthcare products. The company’s markets include lubricant oil manufacture, petroleum jelly production, skincare products, surface coatings, agricultural spray oils, candle manufacturing and wax blending. Clients are based principally in South Africa but also in the African region, including the islands. New markets are being developed in the Middle East, India and the USA. In addition, Orbichem Petrochemicals consults to other petrochemical businesses in South Africa, and also those companies wanting to gain a foothold in the local market. Its corporate slogan is: “The African Link to the World of Petrochemicals”. The value proposition offered by Orbichem Petrochemicals lies in the company’s independence to source the best product for the application given the client’s specifications and cost parameters.Orbichem’s principals are leader manufacturers in their fields respectively with product from advanced third generation refineries. Strong alliances have been forged with companies such as Brenntag of Belgium and Exxon-Mobil Chemicals of Europe for speciality solvents and with Korean giants such as SK Corporation and S-Oil for the supply of hydro-treated base oils for the lubrication oil and health product industries. More recently on the consulting side of the business, a GTL (gas to liquid) wax business development partnership was started with PetroSA. Orbichem Petrochemicals’ management has considerable collective experience in the petrochemical industry, from technical product development and support to senior general management in the multinationals, hence its effectiveness as consultant and potential joint venture partner with other companies operating in the field.