Sasolburg is home to the largest number of chemical industries in the country, which collectively contribute billions of rands annually to the national economy.
The Synthetic Latex Company (Pty) Limited (SLC) in Bunsen Street, Sasolburg, is one of these companies that has played a remarkable and consistent role in the Vaal and the country’s chemical industry over the past 50 years.
SLC’s History:
SLC is a chemical manufacturing company which was established in 1967 as a joint venture with Revertex South Africa and styrene butadiene latex manufacturing technology from Doverstrand, Reichold, Synthomer and Yule Catto.
The company was incorporated into Sentrachem which was bought by Dow Chemicals in 1997. The divestiture of Sentrachem from Dow Chemicals in 2003 resulted in a management buyout and the establishment of Karbochem Holdings, which wholly owned The Synthetic Latex Company (Pty) Ltd. and Karbochem (Pty) Ltd.
In January 2017, SLC celebrated 50 years of latex manufacture. In November that year, SLC was purchased from Karbochem Holdings by management and other business associates, positioning it as a totally independent company.
Products:
SLC specialises in the manufacture of synthetic latex, which is a polymer dispersed in water. The manufacturing process involves an anionic polymerisation reaction, often at high pressures.
SLC has historically produced carboxylated (hot) and non carboxylated (cold) latices for the carpet, textile, paper, construction, adhesive, automotive and road markets and more recently has developed styrene acrylate and pure acrylic emulsions for the carpet, textile and coating markets.
The manufacturing facility, located in Sasolburg, utilises base raw materials derived mostly from crude oil, primarily C4-C7 hydrocarbons, as raw materials for the manufacturing of synthetic latex.
Manufacturing:
Stringent automated process control technology ensures safe manufacturing of SLC’s high quality, consistent products. The company places a high premium on environment, health and safety. The processes are unique in that each process includes a steam stripping stage, ensuring low VOC products, illustrating commitment to being responsible and environmentally friendly. In addition, global “best practices in process safety standards” ensure a safe working environment.
Pothole Fix:
SLC’s Pothole Fix is manufactured from a polymer by-product and aggregates for the easy repair of medium size potholes.
Mr Quentin Van den Heever, SLC’s Managing Director, says the main purpose of the product is not only to uplift the community in and around the Vaal Triangle, but also to give back as the proceeds from each 25kg bag sold, goes to a charity identified by SLC and then chosen by the purchaser.
SLC would like to encourage the public to purchase Pothole Fix from the SLC website: www.slc.za.com.
Pothole Fix is also available from OK MiniMark at the Sasol garage in Vaalpark, as well as Sasolburg distribution points at the Sasol garage Fonteine and the Sasol garage One RCC.
* For more information visit SLC’s website at www.slc.za.com.
