KZN Resins lands agency for Ineos Composites in SA
KZNR has been appointed as the official distributer of Ineos Composites for the Derakane™ range of vinyl esters, unsaturated polyester resins and gelcoats products for the sub-Saharan and Indian Ocean Islands region
Acknowledged worldwide as a leader in corrosion-resistant resins for the composites market, the Derakane™ range offers high resistance to oxidizing acids and solvents for corrosion-resistant FRP processing.
Used in corrosion-resistant fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) and coatings applications, Derakane resins are specified by engineers who need global consistency and proven performance in demanding applications. The Derakane Signia range builds on Ineos Composites’ legacy polymer performance to deliver less environmental impact, and better quality and efficacy.
Akhtar Moosa, CEO of KZNR, commented that INEOS Composites is a perfect fit for the KZNR family given their leading role in both the UPR and Vinyl Ester Resins market globally.
“Their global footprint will benefit our local composite industry whilst furthering the individual growth and knowledge within the SA market,” he said.
KZNR hosted Ineos Composites’ members on a countrywide roadshow recently where KZNR customers were invited to learn more about the Ineos Composites’ products. Of particular interest is the comprehensive technical support offered to all Ineos Composites product users via the INEOS Corrosion Science Centre, a centre of excellence to support corrosion applications based on fibre reinforced polymers (FRP).
The CSC is a forum where industry partners, end-users, design engineers and fabricators work with the INEOS corrosion team to improve the knowledge of FRP composites in corrosion resistant applications, and where Ineos scientists help match the customer with the correct resins to provide maximum longevity and reliability for its process parameters. Customers in South Africa can call on the CSC for assistance via the KZNR, Derakane@kznr,co.za email address.
Through testing and tracking the historical performance of Derakane™ resins, the INEOS CSC assures the successful and appropriate use of FRP composites in demanding applications. Support is provided at two centres of excellence globally – Dublin, Ohio and Kehl, Germany.
The focus of the CSC is to define the value of FRP in new corrosion applications as well as to support customers in existing FRP industries. The CSC’s rich blend of both commercial and technical experts solve complex customer problems through extensive laboratory and field corrosion testing combined with real-world case studies.
INEOS Composites’ products provide fabricated composite products with an array of functional properties including corrosion resistance, fire retardance, ultraviolet resistance, water and chemical resistance, high mechanical properties, thermal and electrical insulation, impact and scratch resistance and high strength-to-weight ratios. INEOS Composites’ materials are used in several global markets, including building materials, corrosion resistant FRP, recreation, transportation, and wind energy.
KZNR a significant producer and distributor of resins in South Africa
KZNR, with headquarters in Durban and distribution centres in Jet Park, Gauteng, and Beaconvale, Cape Town, manufacture unsaturated polyester resins and gelcoats for the composite market, as well as alkyd and acrylic resins for the coatings and automotive industries.
The family-owned company was established in 1998 and has grown steadily from inception to become a significant producer and distributor of resins in South Africa. The company started with the production of unsaturated polyester resin and within a year introduced alkyd resins to its range of products. By 2000, KZNR had added hydroxy functional acrylic resins to its range as well. Currently it manufactures and distributes a wide range of unsaturated polyester resin and gelcoats to the composites industry, as well as alkyd resins for the coatings industry and hydroxy acrylic resins for the automotive market.
KZNR’s manufacturing site in Durban boasts a modern and versatile manufacturing plant capable of simultaneously producing unsaturated polyesters, alkyds, and acrylics resins, with an annual plant capacity of 12 000 tons.
The company intends to further improve its production and technical facilities to be able to meet the growing demands of the local market and to grow its current footprint.
“We are current evaluating a number of opportunities and collaborations which we trust will be realized during the 2023/4 period,” said Moosa.
