I’m delighted to welcome you to

the second edition of Chemical

Initiative’s newsletter - Chemical

RE: Action. I have no doubt that

you will find it as informative and

entertaining as the first issue and

I’m pleased to see that it is already

growing in content and continuing

to provide relevant news to

the industry.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Ecologika News

Nanotechnology

World Water Day

Organic Matter

Chemiphos MergerISSU

E N

O. 2

www.cheminit.co.za

April 2012

As mentioned in our first issue, 2011 was indeed a tough year for the South African economy and at Chemical Initiatives we were not unaffected by this.

However, as reflected in AECI’s Annual Report for 2011 (see highlights of the report in this newsletter), the Group’s specialty chemicals cluster saw a revenue increase due to volume growth and increases in commodity prices as the ZAR/US$ exchange rate weakened in the last quarter of 2011.

CI’s volume growth came mainly from our trading business and the high demand for sulphur from Africa’s copper mining region and in particular Zambia and the DRC. Our trading margin percentage dropped however due to these higher volumes at low margins. Our Manufacturing plant at Umbogintwini came under large pressure due to the oversupply of Sulphuric Acid in the market.

Nevertheless, a solid performance was delivered by Chemical Initiatives and I would like to congratulate everyone at CI for an outstanding effort.

With significant increases ahead in the price of petrol and electricity, not to mention the continuing

global financial uncertainty, 2012 promises to be a challenging year for everyone. I have every confidence that if we continue with our hard work and commitment we will make great progress nonetheless, during the course of the year.

You’ll find a wealth of interesting reading in this issue of Chemical Re: Action including an overview of our recent merger with Chemiphos’s Acids division, some fascinating facts about sulphur, feedback from Ecologika Business Director, news about the new Ecologika website, a feature on the new Oleum boiler at Umogintwini’s J-Plant, an update on how we assist aspiring chemical engineering students, a selection of staff news, and so much more. And, don’t forget to enter our competition on the back page!

In conclusion, to our customers I say thank you for your support and assure you of our firm commitment to you in 2012. To everyone at CI - let’s keep the momentum going and continue to work hard to provide our customers with the best service possible. And to our supply partners, once again thanks for everything you’re doing to assist us in supplying top-quality service and products.

Graham Sanders

GRAHAM SANDERSManaging Director

Re:ActionRe:Action

AECI’s Executive Committee

recently took the decision to

unbundle Chemiphos SA (Pty) Ltd

as a standalone operating entity and

merge the company’s two divisions

into other companies within the

AECI stable.

Chemiphos is a leading Southern African

manufacturer of polyphosphoric acid for fuel

catalyst and pharmaceutical manufacturing

and orthophosphoric acid for beverage

manufacturing, metal treatment and water

treatment amongst others. Chemiphos

also provides a traded range of specialised

construction chemicals.

The Executive Committee constantly evaluates and manages the portfolio of business within AECI’s chemical cluster, and the decision was made after thorough and careful consideration in terms of strategic alignment and synergy.

Chemiphos’s phosphoric acid division, Acids, will be integrated into Chemical Initiatives (Pty) Ltd, enabling Chemical Initatives to supply polyphosphoric acid and orthophosphoric acid to the local and international market.

Constructichem, Chemiphos’s construction division, will be integrated into AECI’s Chemserve Systems (Pty) Ltd who provide chemical products to a diverse range of industries. The integration will allow Chemserve Systems to offer a range of raw materials, additives and blended

formulations to the construction and related industries, as well as to provide technical support services in the application of these products.

AECI’s Executive Committee and Management intend to transfer Chemiphos employees who fall under the Constructichem and Acids divisions into Chemserve Systems and Chemical Initiatives wherever possible.

Chemical Initiatives Managing Director Graham Sanders says, “I am excited about the merger and the possibilities it offers, and I look forward to Chemical Initiatives being able to offer the market a broader product offering as a result of the Chemiphos integration.”

Chemiphos’s Acids divisionmerges with ChemiCal initiatives

1

aeCi annualreportHigHligHts

Revenue grew by 16% to R13 397 million (2010: R11 569 million). Volumes showed good growth of 7% while the weaker rand against the US dollar and rising chemical prices in the fourth quarter assisted in this revenue growth.

Headline earnings of R772 million were 25% higher (2010: R619 million) and profit from operations recorded a 24% increase to R1 315 million (2010: R1 062 million), mainly due to mining

and explosive activities. The trading margin improved to 9,8% (2010: 9,2%).

The Board declared a final cash dividend of 179 cents per ordinary share (2010: 135 cents).

Find more information about the Annual Report at www.aeci.co.za

The only way of finding the l imits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible. Arthur C. Clarke

AECI’s Annual Report, released on 20 February 2012,

reported that the Group delivered excellent results in

a challenging trading environment characterised by

currency and commodity volatility, labour strikes and

heavy rainfall which impacted upon open cast mining

operations in some geographies. These are some of

the highlights:

eCologika’s reCent ConferenCe:

NEWsFlAsH!

You can meet the Ecologika team, view details about the products we offer and access the latest news and developments in our industry. You can read about Pastillation, Agronomy and so much more.

We will regularly be posting updates, so be sure to bookmark the new site.

Ecologika held a two-day conference on 7 and 8 February 2012 at the Askari Game Lodge in the Plumari Africa Game Reserve in the Magaliesberg.

The purpose of the conference was to take time out from the daily hustle and bustle of work in order to re-strategise and refocus Ecologika’s entire business model.

During the two days, a great deal of discussion took place regarding various aspects of Ecologika’s business and the foundations of an exciting new business model was developed. The Ecologika team realigned itself and refocused on priorities for 2012, objectives for 2012

were reinforced and a clear direction was gained of where Ecologika is heading in both the short- and the long-term.

According to Product Manager Karen Thom, “It was an intense but fruitful two days. Of course, the conference wasn’t all work and no play!”

log on and CheCk out eCologika’s stunning new website!

Intense but Fruitful

Ecologika Team

We are very excited to announce that Ecologika’s new website www.ecologika.co.za is up and running and it looks fantastic!

Check out our new website

www.ecologika.co.za

The ICEC Group (www.icecg loba l .com) has been a world leader in the m a r k e t i n g of Sulphur

on behalf of major global energy companies in North America, the Arabian Gulf and the Former Soviet Union (FSU) for well over 60 years. We supply all required services e.g. re-melting, forming, bagging, storing, logistics, finance etc.

Early in 2011 the Oxbow Group (www.oxbow.com) acquired ICEC and we now handle approx. 30 million tons of all products annually.

For many years ICEC and Chemical Initiatives have been strategic alliance partners for Sulphur with CI performing all required activities in South(ern) Africa and ICEC in the rest of the world. Both partners take a long term approach to the business based on integrity and reliability of the supply chain. This is of prime importance to all its clients but especially to the mining industry.

The global off-shore Sulphur trade (product transported by ships) is approx. 24 million tons per annum.

Price volatility has increased substantially during the last number of years as a result of which most price agreements are now for periods of max three months. Contract sanctity is therefore of utmost importance.

The CI - ICEC partnership will continue to add value to your operations.

Partnership

Dick van MeursPresident & CEO

Experience is the child of thought, and thought is the child of action. Benjamin Disraeli

3

how muCh do you really know about

When it comes to sulphuric acid and sulphur-based products, Chemical Initiatives is the leading player in

Southern Africa. But how much do you really know about this fascinating element?

Once extracted from salt domes where it occurred in almost pure form, sulphur is the 16th most abundant element in nature (as well as having the number 16 in the Periodic Table), and today is obtained almost entirely as a by-product during the process of refining natural gas and petroleum when sulphur-containing contaminants are removed. However, sulphur is also found in the oceans and in meteorites.

The yellow and orange colour of Io, Jupiter’s innermost moon, is due to the vast plains of sulphur and the many volcanoes that spew out plumes of sulphur and sulphur dioxide as high as 500km above the surface.

Sulphur is mentioned in the English-language editions of the Bible where it is referred to as ‘brimstone’ and is an agent of divine wrath. In Genesis 19 Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed in a torrent of fire and brimstone, and interestingly, in Isaiah 30:33, the breath of God is compared to brimstone: “The breath of Jehovah, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.” This may be because the smell of burning sulphur resembles the acrid odour of volcanic activity.

Sulphur is an essential component of living cells. It is the seventh or eighth most abundant element in the human body (about as common as potassium), with a 70kg body containing around 140g of sulphur.

Elemental sulphur occurs in the form of bright yellow polyhedron-shaped crystals, and was widely used as fumigants, balms and anti-parasitics in ancient China, Greece and Egypt. It was also a key ingredient in gunpowder. Because of its yellow colour, alchemists believed (incorrectly as it turned out) that it could be synthesized into gold.

When burned, sulphur gives off a blue flame which is best seen in dark conditions. It also gives off sulphur dioxide which is what creates its peculiarly suffocating smell. Sulphur compounds are also behind the strong smells of skunk scent, garlic and rotten eggs. However, in its natural elemental form sulphur is odourless.

In ancient times, sulphur was obtained using the Sicilian process, a technique that involved a lot of hard work: sulphur-rich rocks were carried up mountain slopes and piled into stacks in brick kilns. The rocks were covered with powdered sulphur before being ignited and the resulting molten sulphur flowed down the mountain to be collected once it had cooled down.

In later times people obtained sulphur using the Frasch process which is the only economically efficient method of recovering sulphur from elemental deposits. Three concentric tubes (i.e. the outermost tube encloses the inner two tubes) are drilled into the sulphur deposit and superheated water at a temperature of 165°C is pumped into

the outer tube. Sulphur has a melting point of 125°C so it melts out of the deposit of solid sulphur into the middle tube. Because water pressure alone is not strong enough to force the molten sulphur to the surface, hot air is blown down the innermost tube to make the molten sulphur froth, causing it to become less dense and thus able to rise to the surface as almost 100% pure sulphur.

Worldwide, the Frasch process has largely been replaced by the more cost-effective method of obtaining sulphur as an unwanted by-product in the production of gas and petroleum. Today, the only operating Frasch mines are in Poland and Mexico. The last Frasch mine in the USA closed in 2000, and another in Iraq closed in 2003 as a result of the Gulf War.

In terms of world economies, the island of Sicily was a significant source of sulphur during the Industrial Revolution of 1750-1850, but at present the biggest exporter of sulphur is Canada and the biggest importer is China. Sulphur is increasingly also being produced in Asia and North America.

Consumption of sulphuric acid worldwide is projected to reach 62.1 million tons by 2014, and today accounts for 84% of total sulphur demand with a projected annual growth rate of 5%. The manufacture of fertilisers contributes to half of the world’s total sulphuric acid usage and this is projected to increase annually by 4.5%.

Today, sulphur is used in many ways. In agriculture it is used as a plant nutrient, and in the chemical and manufacturing industries it is used for the production of sulphuric acid which is used to manufacture fertiliser and in lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles. Sulphur improves the properties of asphalt and concrete, and is also used in the manufacture of textiles, rubber products such as tyres and boots, detergents, paint, paper, carpets, medicines and matches (to name just some of its many applications).

Chemical Initiatives produces sulphur products that include alum sulphate (used to purify drinking water, treat waste-water and in paper production), sulphur dioxide (used to produce sulphuric acid, to preserve dried fruits and in winemaking), molten sulphur (used to make fertiliser and sulphuric acid ), Plant Nutrient Elemental Sulphur (also known as PNES, used as a plant nutrient and a soil amendment to correct alkali soils).

So the next time you’re at a dinner party and someone asks you about sulphur, you now have a lot to talk about!

sUlPHUR?

“Ecologika is a ‘green agricultural’ business that offers the farming industry tangible benefits such as improved farm economics and crop health, through the application of nutrient benefits,” says Lawrence.

“2012 will also see Ecologika continuing to expand our customer base and our distribution network. Further business growth will be achieved through the addition of new products developed in-house and traded which fit our philosophy of contributing to improved soil and crop health.”

An example of new products that Ecologika has recently introduced to the market is BioDeposit which is available in two forms, BioDeposit Agro and BioDeposit Elixir. These biologically active products are based on sapropel (otherwise known as lake silt) and peat. They assist in building carbon levels and delivering a spectrum of natural and biologically active ingredients such as vitamins, bacteria, fungi enzymes, amino acids and humic acid, all of which aid in the development of healthy crops.

It goes without saying that agriculture and the sustainable supply of food is critical to the survival of every country in the world, and by introducing new products like BioDeposit, Ecologika is helping the agricultural industry in Southern Africa fulfil its vital role.

Comments Lawrence, “Our sulphur-based pastillated products also contribute to the ongoing health of crops in South Africa. Because these products are available to the crop throughout the growing season, they minimise nutrient losses to the environment and assist in developing healthy crops.”

The introduction of micronutrients into fertiliser formulations is gaining momentum in the agricultural industry and Ecologika is at the forefront of this progress with our range of Tiger micronutrients.

Lawrence is confident that Ecologika can look forward to a highly successful year ahead and he bases his view on the successes achieved. He says, “We took a bold step in creating a separate identity for the agricultural division of Chemical Initiatives. The small yet passionate Ecologika team has a sound vision for the business to promote and encourage the adoption of sustainable farming practices within the agricultural sector. And we completed greenhouse trials and commenced full-scale crop trials with maize last year, which was a major milestone for Ecologika.”

Noting the importance of Ecologika’s people to the success of the company, Lawrence highlights the efficiency of the Umbogintwini plant teams as another good reason to be upbeat about Ecologika in the year to come. “In 2011 we saw the Umbogintwini plant production team pull out all the stops to overcome some severe production problems to successfully ensure that market supply was not affected.”

Lawrence concludes, “Based on our successes in 2011 and the sound vision we have for the future, I have every confidence that Ecologika will play an increasingly important role in supporting the Southern African agricultural industry.”

4

Ecolog ika is wel l set for success

Every artist was first an amateur.Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ecologika Business Director Dr Lawrence Jansen van Rensburg is

upbeat about what the future holds for Ecologika.

BOTHAVILLE

Golf winners from left to right: Dappies Venter; Herman De Waal; Ruben Avenanat and Jakes Jacobs (not in picture).

GOLFEcologika’s first Golf Day was

held in the farming community of

Bothaville. Not only did farmers

take part in the competition, but

also members of the Bothaville

Golf Club in the Free State.

The day was a huge success and greatly

enjoyed by all. Each of the 28 participants

won a prize of one sort or another, and

everyone is very keen to make this an

annual event.

The small and charming 9-hole Bothaville

Golf Course has in the past hosted

champion golfers Bobby Locke and

Gary Player.

Dr Lawrence Jansen van Rensburg

Imagine a world of atoms, a land filled with billions of molecules and more space than one can imagine. Imagine a nanometer, a unit of scale so small that most people cannot comprehend it.

Let’s explore this world a little further and reduce it to imaginable terms. One nanometer, when compared with one meter, is comparable to a marble standing beside planet Earth. One nanometer is one billionth of a meter, or 10-9m.

Another way of looking at this is to consider that a nanometer is the length an average man’s beard grows in the time it takes him to raise the razor to his face.

Some statistics put things in perspective: at 200 nanometers long, the deadly Ebola virus is a big player in the world of nanotechnology. A human hair is 100’000 nanometers wide. Victor Matfield is 2’160’000’000 nanometers tall. The fastest man on the planet runs at 114’943’000’000’000’000 nanometers per second which works out to 413’794’800’000’000’000’000 nanometers per hour.

Let’s take a tour of the world of nanotechnology from the outside inwards.

Our Technology Update in this issue takes the first of a two-part look at nanotechnology, the branch of

technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers, especially with

regards to individual atoms, molecules and viruses.

TEcH

nO

LOg

y U

pdAT

E the extraordinary world of nAnOTEcHnOLOgy

5

The understanding of a world beyond our natural gaze unlocks limitless possibilities for science, and understanding things like chemical bonding at this scale allows scientists to identify where to focus their energies to discover previously unknown facts and unexplored worlds.

In our next issue we will explore one such recent discovery: the nature of the bonding that exists within the gold nanoparticle, and we will shed some insight on one of chemistry’s longest standing mysteries - how does sulphur bond to gold?

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

At 1 000 times magnification, the little white object can be seen to be ragweed pollen.

This is a view of a human hand holding a pin, as seen with the naked eye.

When magnified 10 000 times, we see that the ragweed pollen is covered with lymphocytes, red blood cells, baker’s yeast, e.coli and staphylococcus.

…and when we increase the magnification to a million times, we can see a minute Rhinovirus, the predominant cause of the common cold!

When magnified 10 times, we can see a hair balancing on the head of the pin.

By increasing the magnification a further tenfold, we encounter the somewhat unwelcome presence of the Ebola virus…

Now we increase the magnification to 100 times, and we can see a pair of dust mites on the pin and the hair. Notice the small white object in the centre.

Harold R. McAlindon

By Mike Josten

6

However, given South Africa’s chronic shortage of water and frequent devastating droughts, we should be conserving water every day of the year.

A recent World Bank-sponsored McKinsey Group study predicts that by 2030 South Africa will face a shortage of 2.7 million cubic meters of water, which is a particularly sobering statistic when you consider that the total amount of water on the planet amounts to approximately 1385 million cubic meters, of which 97.5% is sea water and just 2.5% fresh water.

So don’t wait until 22 March - start saving water today. And the good news is there are a wealth of easy ways to conserve this precious resource. Here are some simple suggestions to save water in your home:

In your bathroom, if you have a dripping tap or a leaking toilet, get it fixed immediately. Don’t leave the tap running while you’re brushing your teeth. Take short showers instead of filling the bath, and if possible install low-flow taps and shower-heads. Also, don’t use the toilet to dispose of items that can be thrown away instead of flushed.

In your kitchen, use no more than the required amount of water when cooking. If you want a glass of cold water, rather than letting the tap run until all the hot water in the pipes in the roof has run out, instead think ahead and keep a bottle of water in the fridge. And when doing your washing, only wash full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher.

In your garden, sweep away leaves and dirt off your driveway with a broom instead of using the hosepipe, and only water your garden in the early morning or late evening.

When it comes to swimming pools, you can dramatically reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation by using a pool cover (and this will also keep your pool warmer so you enjoy a longer swimming season). Also, keep an eye out for leaks and fix them immediately and consider replacing your old pump with a more water-efficient one. Filtration increases evaporation, so run your pump in the cooler hours and not during the heat of the day.

Increasingly, people are installing tanks to collect rainwater and this can be used to water gardens and fill pools which will reduce your water consumption significantly.

If each of us makes an effort to conserve water in our homes, not only will we enjoy

considerable savings in our household budgets - we will also be doing our bit to reduce the risk of South Africa running out of water by 2020 as predicted.

In 1993 the United Nations General Assembly declared 22 March as World Day for

Water, and every year since then public support has grown with more and more

people marking World Water Day by completely avoiding any use of their taps

throughout the entire day.

Suppor ting learnerships is a key focus

area at Chemical Initiatives, and Nkono

Biyela and Malusi Ngcongo are two

examples of this.

Nkono and Malusi star ted their NQF

Level 2 Process Learnerships at the

Umbogintwini AECI Training Centre in

May 2011.

After completing the theoretical aspect of

their training the two commenced practical

training at the Umbogintwini plant on

25 June 2011.

Nkono and Malusi are current ly being

exposed to all the J-Plant and Tankfarm

process operations as well as DCS

operations and control functions.

Plant Manager Kugendheran Govender has

been watching over the pair’s progress

and is looking forward to when they

graduate in April 2012 with an NQF Level

2 qualification.

Nkono Biyela and Malusi Ngcongo

we should make every day WORlD WAtER DAy!

Learners well on their way to qualifyingBy Kuben Govender

Well-balanced soil consists of 50% minerals, 25% air and 25% water. The mineral component contains between 1% and 5% organic material, which is made up of humus (formed by the decomposition of planet material by natural processes and microbial activity), plant roots and organisms.

Organic material is very important for soil health. It increases microbial life, gives structure to the soil, improves water retention, holds nutrients in the soil for longer, increases the soil’s oxygen content and improves the overall quality of the soil. Fruit and vegetables grown in this kind of soil are healthier and contain more nutrients.

There are several ways you can improve the organic content of the soil, such as by using animal manure, compost, old plant material, organic acids or semi-organic fertilisers.

When it comes to animal manure, the manure of horses, cows and sheep can be used to good effect. However, pig manure should not be used since it can contain harmful bacteria.

By going back-to-basics with organic materials, you’re harnessing the abundant power of nature to enhance the quality of your soil.

Look out for the next issue of Chemical Re: Action where we will share some inside tips on building your own compost heap.

7

We’re taking a two-part look at how going back to basics when it comes to soil preservation is not only easy but also a good idea.

In Part One we look at ways to improve your soil quality using organic material. Part Two in the next issue will address how you

can build a compost heap to boost your soil.

Organic MatterBy Renette Adamson

the baCk-to-basiCs of soil preservation

8

At Chemical Initiatives employees are encouraged to think

outside of the box and come up with initiatives that will improve

the way we do business, such as an idea for a change to an

existing practice or work process that results in an improvement

in productivity, safety standards or cost savings.

At the Umbogintwini plant Boilermaker Foreman Robin Colborne did just that.

In the past, whenever aluminium hydrate was transported from Richards Bay harbour to the Umbogintwini plant, it involved a number of people and laborious processes to ensure that the aluminium hydrate was protected from the weather during off-loading.

Robin realised that a sliding roof mechanism at the Umbogintwini plant would dramatically reduced the complexity of the off-loading process, but when he saw the high quotations received from various contractors he almost went through the roof.

So Robin took it upon himself to considerably reduce the retractable portion of the design of the roof and he also utilised internal labour from his workshop in order to erect the roof which was completed in February this year.

As a result, Robin reduced the cost of installing the sliding roof mechanism by a whopping 75% and now the off-loading process only requires the involvement of a single person. Robin richly deserves the reward he will receive for his innovation as part of Chemical Initiative’s Idea Scheme.

RObiN COlbORNE!

Well Doneto innovative thinker

Robin on the right

By Siyabonga Malevu

9

Over the years Chemical Initiatives has been assisting students hoping to become chemical engineers by offering them 12 months of practical experience, and to date many students have benefited from this invaluable, hands-on opportunity to discover how the chemical industry works in practice.

In 2011 Hlengiwe Ngcobo and Sandhia Gounden came onboard

as in-service trainees. In addition to gaining a wealth of useful

experience, Hlengiwe and Ngcobo played a significant role in

the redesigning of the PNES plant in order to make it safer.

Technical Manager Siyabonga Malevu who has been supervising

the pair says, “Hlengiwe and Sandhia have done very well and

I am proud to report that they will be graduating with their

National Diplomas in Chemical Engineering in April this year.”

Due to the increased size of the new boiler, the design

incorporated a bellow to allow for expansion and contraction. The

bellow was constructed of 1.5mm Grade 321 stainless steel with

three convolutions to suit the 2m diameter of the boiler shell.

Since oleum is a fuming sulphuric acid, leaks can cause a major

gas cloud representing a hazard of sufficient magnitude to

require a full-scale emergency procedure to be instituted on the

entire site.

Over the last few years, several minor leaks on the bellows have

occurred due to internal corrosion at the liquid/vapour interface.

In addition, chemical raw material supply company Akulu Marchon

constructed a new Sulphonation plant in Chloorkop in 2008

which reduced the demand for oleum from our Umbogintwini

Plant down to our own internal requirements for the production

of sulphur dioxide, chemically pure sulphuric acid and

22% oleum.

A routine inspection of the boiler in August 2010 revealed

that several of the tubes in the boiler had exhausted their

corrosion allowance.

Shortly thereafter a decision was made to replace the boiler entirely with a new boiler built to the original specifications, eliminating the need for the bellows and its attendant problems, and with sufficient capacity to fulfil our internal requirements.

Said Chemical Initiative’s Ravi Naicker, “This presented some unique challenges as the old boiler was situated on the first floor of the SO3 building and could not be simply lifted straight up and out using a crane. Instead, special temporary support structures were built that allowed the old boiler to be removed by sliding it out of the building, and sliding the new boiler back in.”

This was successfully completed in December 2011, and SO3 is once again being safely produced at Umbogintwini’s J-Plant.

Back in 1996 the original oleum boiler in J-Plant at Chemical

Initiative’s Umbogintwini Plant in KwaZulu-Natal was

replaced with a bigger boiler to provide increased amounts

of SO3 for sulphonic acid manufacture.

umbogintwini’s J-plant gets a NEW OlEUM bOilER

Sandhia GoundenHlengiwe Ngcobo

ChemiCal initiatives is Committed to helpingAsPiRiNg CHEMiCAl ENgiNEERs

By Siyabonga Malevu

By Ravi Naicker

Staff News10

Haroshen Govender was promoted to PNES Plant Manager at the Umbogintwini plant on 1 February 2012. His previous job title was Technical Officer. Haroshen joined Chemical Initiatives in 2005 as a Chemical Engineering In-service Trainee and was part of the technical team that designed and constructed the PNES plant in 2008 and was involved in the plant’s commissioning in 2009. Haroshen has also worked on improvement projects on the PNES plant and has maintained a close involvement with the plant since its inception.

Suraj Singh has been promoted to Safety Manager at the Umbogintwini plant. Suraj joined Chemical Initiatives as a Technical Officer in 2009 and was part of the technical team. He has been involved with many improvement projects on the sulphuric acid plant and engages frequently with employees and contractors. Suraj previously worked for Industrial Urethanes and Dunlop.

Haroshen and Suraj report to Operations Executive Dean Kasavan who says, “Haro and Suraj are dedicated and hard-working, and they both richly deserve their promotions.”

Staff News

CI is saddened by the tragic passing away of Alfred Njapha on 17 December 2011. Alfred spent most of his working career with us as an SO2 Filling Operator and he was also a shopsteward. Alfred will be remembered for his gentle nature and his loyalty, and will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Njapha family.

blessing ndimande A PROUD DAD!

we mourn AlFRED NjAPHA

Suraj Singh

Haroshen Govender

deaf and hardHEARiNg!

Malibongwe and his sister Ndumiso

Vanessa won the

Championship in 2009

and again in 2010, and

has every intention of

raising the trophy for a

third time this year.

She was also selected

to play for South Africa

in the 2010 World Deaf

Golf Championship and

hopes to be selected

again this year when the 2012 Championship takes place in October in

Japan. The tournament is renowned as the world’s premier international

amateur golfing championship for the hard-of-hearing.

Vanessa is a member of the South African Deaf Golf Association which

supports all deaf and hard-of-hearing golfers and raises money to

support organisations of and for the deaf. Says Vanessa, “The SA Deaf

Golf Association does enormous work to help those of us who suffer

from deafness!”

Vanessa on the left

If you’d like to support the South African Deaf Golf Association, email Vanessa on vanessa.mcilroy@cheminit.co.za.

By Ravi Naicker

By Stanley Blose

Mechanical Fitter Blessing Ndimande and his wife Zibuyile became the proud parents of twins on 6 February 2012. Ndumiso came into this world weighing 3.16kg and her brother Malibongwe weighed in at 3.16kg. The twins are their first children, and they are understandably thrilled!

By Dean Kasavanumbogintwini PROMOtiONs

Chemical Initiatives’ Vanessa Mcilroy is attending the SA Deaf

Golf Championship to be held on 21 - 25 March this year at

the Selborne Park Golf Club on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast.

Disclaimer: Chemical Initiatives can accept no responsibility for possible errors in catalogues, brochures and other printed material. All trademarks in this material are property of the respective companies. Chemical Initiatives and the logotype are trademarks of AECI Limited. All rights reserved.

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a student at the umbogintwini aecI training centre was faced with a difficult challenge.

she needed to obtain exactly 4 litres of water to complete an experiment, but she only had two jugs, one of which holds 5 litres and the other holds 3 litres.

assuming she had an unlimited supply of water, how did she measure precisely 4 litres?

to enter, simply answer this easy question:

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Awarenessawareness campaign at umbog and chamdor from 11 - 13 april.