Barentz strengthens its position in South Africa through a joint venture with SK Chemtrade Services

Barentz International, a leading global ingredient distributor, is continuing its expansion in South Africa. The company is proud to announce its joint venture with SK Chemtrade Services, a leading supplier of high-quality raw materials to the life sciences industries in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

• This joint venture will give Barentz quicker access to the market in Southern Africa, while offering SK Chemtrade the support of the knowledge and expertise of Barentz’ global network.
• SK Chemtrade has fully-staffed offices, development centres and warehouses in Johannesburg (headquarters), Cape Town and Harare (Zimbabwe).
• Both companies are strong performers in the life science industries. A family-owned company, SK Chemtrade specializes in flavours, compounds, nutraceuticals, natural food colourants and product development.

Commenting on this announcement, Mark Ferrao, Managing Director of SK Chemtrade states: ‘As a strong strategic partner based in Europe, Barentz is an excellent fit. Both of our companies have the same ethos: delivering high-quality products and offering technical support whenever required, with an enthusiastic approach to product development’.

For Barentz, this new collaboration is a logical next step. As noted by Barentz’ CEO Hidde van der Wal: ‘Because SK Chemtrade and Barentz are both active in the rapidly growing life sciences industry, we are naturally cut out to be partners. As a joint venture partner in SK Chemtrade, we will have much quicker access to the market in Southern Africa. SK Chemtrade is well-known and well-managed and has a strong reputation. This partnership will provide a solid base for creating robust business opportunities in South Africa and its neighbouring countries’.

Both companies value their application labs. Van der Wal explains: ‘At Barentz, we already have a global network of application labs. With the new SK Chemtrade product-development laboratory, we will be able to create synergies and value for all of our customers’.