Omya International AG and Idwala Industrial Holdings Ltd. have formed Omya Idwala SA, a joint venture in South Africa that will reportedly have access to a high-quality and broad portfolio of calcium carbonate and specialty chemicals products. Omya Idwala will offer a full range of local Idwala products and imported Omya products, complemented by a large portfolio of specialty chemicals and with strong technical application support service.

“As a leading supplier of high-quality calcium carbonate products and one of the largest distributors of specialty chemicals worldwide, we are very excited to significantly expand both our chemical products portfolio and our geographical presence in South Africa,” said Harald Pfaller, Omya’s CEO for the Greater South and East regions. “Idwala, whom we have been enjoying successful cooperation with for many years, is the right partner for us in this development.”

“We are delighted to begin the next steps in strengthening our calcium carbonate and chemicals distribution business in our home market,” said Wayne Brown, managing director of Idwala. “Having combined our forces with Omya we will become an even stronger partner to our customers and suppliers in South Africa.”

Omya Idwala has offices in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, with further planned expansion of its sales network in the near future. For more information, visit www.omya-idwala.com.