KZN Premier welcomes launch of chemical manufacturing plant
|Published
Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the launch of the plant was not only timely, but signalled a vote of confidence in KZN and Durban KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube at the launch of Synergy Blenders chemical manufacturing plant on Thursday. Picture: KZN Provincial Government
Durban - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube yesterday said the construction of Synergy Blenders’ chemical plant to manufacture caustic soda liquid at the Dube Trade Port in La Mercy will bring massive economic spin-offs for the province’s economy, and would create much-needed employment.
Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is a liquid used to unblock drains and remove built-up grease from ovens. It is also used to make soap and detergents.
Dube-Ncube described the investment as not only timely, but a vote of confidence in KZN and Durban.
“This is a welcome boost towards growing the KZN economy, as there are only three established producers of 47% caustic soda liquid in the country. The local manufacturing of caustic soda is currently unable to meet the demand, and hence an average of 370 000 tons is imported into the country annually,” she said.
Dube-Ncube said the development marked another milestone in growing the economy of the province and creating jobs.
“We are also growing the pool of entrepreneurs, so that our economy recovers from the three disasters we faced in recent times, namely, the Covid-19 pandemic, the July unrest in 2021, and the floods in April this year.”
She said the plant would become an integral part of the province’s industrial strategy.
“We plan for this to stimulate the manufacturing industry in order for us to create more jobs. We also see this benefiting the eThekwini Municipality. Our view is that a functional municipality will enjoy the confidence of our people, and will also attract investment and improve revenue streams.”
Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Siboniso Duma said he was very excited about the investment.
“The July unrest that we experienced last year collapsed many companies, resulting in many shutting down, while others migrated to other parts of the country. The floods in April also led to the damage of our infrastructure, but also the loss of innocent lives; to date 84 people are still missing,” Duma said. “What I am witnessing today will bring hope to the people of KZN; despite our painful past, the future is bright.”
Duma said he was happy that the chemical plant would be producing caustic soda liquid locally, which would “increase our export capacity”.
“Of critical importance is the number of jobs that will be created on completion of this plant. This project will go a long way in assisting us to make a dent in the unemployment rate, which stands at 33.2%.”
Rashmee Ragaven, representative from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), said the department welcomed the new investment. “The DTIC appreciates the invitation to be a part of this groundbreaking and the start of construction of this greenfield chemical plant, currently based in Dube Port. This investment will go a long way to build our economy.”
Haroshen Govender, one of the directors of Synergy Blenders, said the caustic soda liquid was used mainly in the soap industry, paper industry, water treatment industry and as a bleaching agent.
“The plant we are launching today will be a 300-ton-a-month plant. Construction will start this month, and will be commissioned in April 2023. We will create employment for 27 permanent jobs and 48 temporary jobs.”