Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Business Reporter
IN support of Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda, Bulawayo-based manufacturing firm, Chemical Technology Africa (CTA), has developed an innovative solution to combat air pollution from dust emissions in mining, industrial and infrastructure development projects.
The company is expanding operations to Harare as it scales up the production of dust suppression chemicals to foster Zimbabwe’s sustainable industrialisation agenda.
CTA managing director Mr Liberty Nyathi said the innovative polymer solution called Liqui-DS001, is a biodegradable, non-hazardous chemical engineered to significantly reduce airborne dust.
Of late, airborne dust has become a growing environmental challenge amid increased economic development projects in various sectors including mining, road construction and industrialisation under the Second Republic.
“After a long period of research and product development, we recently launched a series of novel dust suppressant chemicals that have been tested and approved by reputable industrial and mining institutions within Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Our dust suppressant chemicals, especially the Liqui-DS001, are game-changers for road construction, mining and industrial operations.
“The technology provides multiple benefits including longer dust suppression cycles, gravel road stabilization, reduced operational costs, improved productivity, environmental protection, and enhanced occupational health.”
The development comes at a time when Zimbabwe is intensifying its industrialisation efforts, with increased mining and infrastructure activity boosting demand for locally produced industrial solutions.
In 2021, the company acquired a high-capacity chemical manufacturing plant from China, capable of producing over 200 000 litres of specialty chemicals per month.
This acquisition has allowed the firm to scale production and reduce dependence on imported industrial chemicals.
“As an innovative company, we also have a number of new products in development that are being tested by reputable institutions.
“These include engine coolants, mining explosives, industrial adhesives, dense media chemicals, cement grinding aids and additives — many of which will be launched later this year,” said Mr Nyathi.
He credited Zimbabwe’s economic blueprint, Vision 2030, and the frameworks laid out under NDS1 and NDS2, as major sources of motivation for local innovation and industrial participation.
“Vision 2030 and the industrialisation thrust of the Second Republic have encouraged us to venture into markets where the country has historically relied on imports. With the right support, innovative local companies can close this gap,” he said.
Mr Nyathi urged the Government and financial institutions to support emerging companies with innovative solutions, noting that such interventions could accelerate Zimbabwe’s path to becoming an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
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