| 17 August 2009
ORBICHEM Petrochemicals, a 100% black-owned supplier of petrochemicals to the domestic and export markets, is celebrating five years of operation in the marketplace.According to Cliff Classen, managing director of Orbichem Petrochemicals, his company has “shown phenomenal growth since its inception in 2002, for which we are very grateful to our customers”. Orbichem trades from its new suite of offices in the Tyger Falls business district of Cape Town’s northern suburbs. “We have been trading for five years and have come of age in many respects since our early days of wax trading, imports, exports and consulting,” says Classen. Today, clients of Orbichem 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. Orbichem consults to other petrochemical businesses in SA, 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 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 leading manufacturers in their fields respectively. 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 hydrotreated 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’s management has considerable collective experience in the petrochemical industry, hence its effectiveness as consultant and potential joint venture partner with other companies operating in the field. Orbichem recently celebrated its anniversary with clients, suppliers and other important stakeholders at a trendy restaurant in the Tyger Falls waterfront. However, the Orbichem ethos extends beyond service excellence to clients. According to Cliff, his company recalls its humble beginnings and strives to cultivate a strong sense of community via various socially responsible programmes.
Cliff takes time out to help local schools where he speaks to learners in an inspiring way about their futures, such as at a recent matric camp organised by Excelsior High School of Belhar. Orbichem’s commitment to community is also reflected in its adoption of the cause of orphans and Cliff and his wife Lydia, who is also financial director of the business, visited House Susan Lapoorta in Serepta near Kuils River recently where a donation was made in support of the home’s monthly operating costs.