Duncan Brown (right) of Zestchem with Ross Walters who has joined Zestchem in KZN, and Hugo de Cort of NCT. NCT has its head offi ce in Holland; Hugo is based in Dubai

NCT enters SA polymer market with Zestchem as local partner

GLOBAL polymer distributor NCT has officially entered the South African polymer supply market through a collaboration with South African-based Zestchem.

Zestchem, a subsidiary of Abakhulu Energy, brings extensive warehousing and logistics capabilities across Southern Africa. Originally developed to support base oils and lubricants, these facilities are now being leveraged to enable polymer distribution. With strong B-BBEE credentials, Zestchem is well positioned to contribute to the transformation and growth of the South African polymer industry.

The rollout is being led by Duncan Brown, who brings deep knowledge of the local polymer market. His mandate is to establish NCT’s footprint in Southern Africa, ensuring reliable supply chains and regional market penetration.

Founded in 1983 in Breda, Netherlands, NCT supplies a full range of polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, and PVC. With turnover exceeding €500 million and annual volumes of around 450,000 tons, NCT is a major player in global polymer distribution. Its established contracts with leading manufacturers will now be complemented by Zestchem’s ability to transact locally in South African currency and provide on-the-ground stockholding.

NCT has offices in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, China, and the United States of America. They opened their first African office in Nairobi in 1996.

This partnership positions NCT to compete more effectively in a market where dependable supply and local currency transactions are critical. For Zestchem, the move represents a strategic diversification from its fuels and lubricants base into plastics, backed by international expertise and scale.