Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Business Correspondent
REDCLIFF-based chemical manufacturer, ZimChem Refineries, has embarked on an expansion drive that is aimed at increasing capacity utilisation to about 60 percent and assisting the country to cut on imports.
A group of engineers recently conducted a tour of the company, which is operating at 10 percent capacity owing to raw material shortages.
The visiting team sought to gain an appreciation of the plant and hopefully carry out required refurbishment work so that the plant can start producing coking tar for road construction.
Acting General Manager Mr Tendai Shoko said the company needs to increase capacity and broaden the product range in line with the modern economic needs.
“We have invited some engineering companies that are willing to help us refurbish some plants that have not been operational for a while.
We need to refurbish our plant with a view of starting to produce road chemicals in light of the call by the Government to have the roads refurbished.
“We have been facing challenges with working capital but the Government has promised to solve the problem and we are looking forward to it so that we can increase our capacity. As ZimChem we stand ready to play a pivotal role in bringing back our roads to their former glory.”
The company is producing timber treatment chemicals and furnace fuels only, which accounts for only 10 percent capacity utilisation.
Recently, the Government engaged ZimChem Refineries and the Midlands State University (MSU) to collaborate in finding homegrown solutions to maintenance and rehabilitation of the country’s roads.
President Mnangagwa declared the country’s roads a national disaster after the transport network was damaged by heavy rains that pounded the country during the 2020/2021 rain season. Zimbabwe is importing bitumen, which is being used for road repairs. The partnership between Zimchem and MSU seeks to locally produce tar thereby cutting costs by close to 50 percent.
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