TATA C H E M I C A L S
Powering industrial expansion
TATA
C H E M I C A L S
SA’s Chemical
CURATOR Roderick Mpofu, Managing Director of Tata Chemicals South Africa, explains how the firm’s expansive chemicals portfolio is helping to facilitate economic prosperity across the country Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Donovan Smith he chemicals industry is continuing to grow in significance across Africa, now standing as a key component of the continent’s industrial base. “In South Africa specifically, petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products contribute immensely to national GDP, accounting for approximately 23 percent of total manufacturing sales,” says Roderick Mpofu, the Managing Director of Tata Chemicals South Africa (TCSA), a Company playing a crucial role in powering the growth of the industry regionally.
As a key division of the $100 billion Tata Group, Tata Chemicals is currently responsible for roughly 35 percent of the world’s low-cost and sustainable natural sodium carbonate (soda ash) capacity. “Our total global soda ash capacity is more than five million tonnes per year, of which 60 percent is from natural deposits in Wyoming, US and Lake Magadi, Kenya,” Mpofu explains. “Through this, we have a strong foothold in the chemicals industry the world over that has an estimated value of more than $4.6 trillion.”
THE COMMON USES OF SODIUM CARBONATE In the manufacture of glass, reducing the melting temperature of the sand used in glass formation and helps in the workability of glass articles such as tableware. Making soaps and detergents, where it is used as a builder or filler to give a smoother surface. Producing other chemicals such as sodium silicate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium percarbonate, sodium chromate and sodium dichromate. In the manufacture of pulp and paper, in water treatment, in effluent treatment, and in metallurgy and drugs.
2
WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
M
A
N
U
F
A
C
T
U
R
I
N
G
WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
3
T A T A
C H E M I C A L S
AMFI FREIGHT INTERNATIONAL
A
mfi Freight International lives by its motto “Understanding Expectations, Delivering Quality” and is proud to be associated with Tata Chemicals in providing it with an efficient and effective customs clearing solution. The Amfi Freight International ELITE (Excellence Leadership Integrity Teamwork and Enjoyment) values form the foundation of the Company’s solution driven service. The Company strongly believe that it is information that moves cargo and our focus on efficient and streamlined communication, underpinned by strong client relationships, industry knowledge and experience, is what allows Amfi Freight International to deliver consistent and dependable service. Dean Lailvaux +27 82 825 0728 Office +27 31 563 3049 E sales@amfi.co.za
www.amfi.co.za
TATA CHEMICALS’ PRODUCTS ARE APPLICABLE ACROSS A BROAD RANGE OF INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING: • Agriculture • Animal nutrition • Chemicals • Construction • Food and nutrition • Glass • Metals • Pharmaceuticals • Safety and environment • Soaps and detergents • Textiles and leather • Water purifiers • Oil & gas exploration models including the use of clinical associates
4
Fuelling growth
Situated in the Port of Durban precinct, Mpofu heads up TCSA’s operations, overseeing the discharge of bulk cargoes and the Company’s national development. “I have been in the port since the dawn of the new millennium and was employed in 2006 to manage operations, later assuming the role of General Manager in 2012.” Joining the firm during the relatively early stages of his career after spending six years maintaining pneumatic discharge off-loaders, Mpofu moved to TCSA after seeking new opportunities at companies using similar equipment. Having gained substantial expertise before joining the Company, Mpofu played a crucial role in enhancing TCSA’s cost benefits, implementing a simple conveyor operated discharge system that critically allowed for increased discharge rates and lower maintenance costs.
WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
FAIRSHIP SA
F
airship SA was founded in 1996 to provide the maritime industry with a highly specialised, hands on service for all sectors of the industry. Our strong team specialises in various bulk commodities including steel, mineral sands, coal, iron ore, grains, breakbulk and general cargoes. It has become increasingly apparent that many customers require professional agency services, cargo clearing and logistical support around the South African coast and we are pleased to be able to provide professional coverage in all South African ports.
T +27 10 010 7700 E glenn@fairshipsa.net
www.fairshipsa.net
M
A
N
U
CUSTOMS CLEARING
F
•
A
C
T
U
R
INTERNATIONAL FORWARDING NETWORK
I
•
N
G
SEA & AIR FREIGHT
•
PROJECT LOGISTICS
•
WAREHOUSING
Understanding Expectations … Delivering Quality
Direct: Dean Lailvaux +27 82 825 0728
•
Office: +27 31 563 3049
•
sales@amfi.co.za
•
www.amfi.co.za
WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
5
T A T A
C H E M I C A L S
Such technology has since become revolutionary for the Company due to its expansive operations at the Port of Durban. With Tata Chemicals manufacturing soda ash and a diverse range of other chemicals all over the globe, from India to the UK to Kenya, shipments arrive at the port’s terminal for discharge storage where the product is then sold to local and neighbouring markets in Africa. “We have a diversified portfolio of products that we have recently handled including fertilisers, gypsum, bauxite, sulphates and other alkali chemicals,” Mpofu explains. “We
6
WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
are situated on the wharf-side where our conveying appliance feeds a 30 kilotonne storage warehouse. Here, we bag bulk products into various bag sizes or load it in to tankers and tippers before dispatching to our clients.” In total, the Company handled close to 200 kilotonnes of third-party products in Durban alone in the past year, fuelling the growth of South Africa’s chemicals market.
An eye to innovation
With such a substantial presence across South Africa already, TCSA is having to come up with new and innovative ways to ensure that
M
A
N
U
F
A
We will continue to focus on harnessing the fruits of science for goals that go beyond business in everything we do”
C
T
U
R
I
N
G
its growth journey continues – an initiative that Mpofu highlights as a top priority. “We intend to grow our footprint as a preferred terminal for the handling of all free-flowing bulk chemicals as well as maintaining our status as a leader in handling of bulk and break bulk,” he states. “Further, we also want to increase our offering to our clients in the form of supplementary and complimentary products to our in-house chemicals.” In achieving this, the firm is exploring a number of new projects that are geared towards providing more efficient volume throughout
and alleviating other pressures as the Company nears its current productive capacity at Durban. “The port in its current state has no more room for the terminals to expand, so creative ways to move products in and out of the port which eliminate congestion are needed,” adds Mpofu. “This is something that we will be looking to address through 2018 and beyond.” In pursuing further expansions, TCSA will implement its LIFE culture, focussed on considering living, industrial and farming essentials throughout all of its operations. Leveraging the latest innovations and scientific developments, TCSA ensures that it continuously bolsters its product portfolio whilst bettering the lives of communities that it serves whilst remaining sustainable. “We will continue to focus on harnessing the fruits of science for goals that go beyond business in everything we do,” Mpofu concludes, reflecting the Tata Chemicals motto of ‘serving society through science’. Tata Chemicals Tel: +27 31 205 9252 rmpofu@tatachemicals.com www.tatachemicals.com
WWW.AFRICAOUTLOOKMAG.COM
7
140 Johnstone Road Maydon Wharf Durban 4001 South Africa Tel: +27 31 205 9252 rmpofu@tatachemicals.com www.tatachemicals.com
www.outlookpublishing.com