Milestones

2012
Omnia commissions nitric acid complex in Sasolburg to produce nitric acid and ammonium nitrate to alleviate the pressure of increasing shortages.

2010      
Omnia forms an associate with Nalco, the world’s leading water treatment and process improvement company based in Illinois, USA. Nalco Africa will provide an extensive range of water and process treatment services to the African market.

2010      
Acquired Petroleum Fine Products. BME commissions shocktube plant.

2008      
Omnia commissions EcoGypsumTM plant for sale of gypsum to the cement industry.

2008      
Commissions EnviNox® plant at Sasolburg, significantly reducing the release of nitrous oxide from the Omnia fertilizer factory.

2007      
The acquisition of Zetachem, a wellestablished supplier of chemical management systems to leading companies in the water treatment, mining and pulp and paper industries.

2007      
Sale of 10% of the Group to our employees.

2003      
BME enters sophisticated electronic delay detonator market with purchase of cutting edge technology from French company DCI. New calcium nitrate plant opened in Sasolburg, applying unique patented technology developed by Omnia.

2003      
Acquisition of South Africa’s largest distributor and trader of chemicals, Protea Chemicals.

2001      
Established a presence in Australasia to identify opportunities for market entry.

2001      
Mining explosives venture initiated in Tanzania; speciality fertilizer blender commissioned in Sasolburg.

1997      
Construction begins on a R96 million state-of-the-art fertilizer granulation plant at Sasolburg; fourth liquid fertilizer plant in Wesselsbron commissioned.

1996      
Commissions a plant to produce potassium sulphate and hydrochloric acid, as well as a cartridge explosives plant.

1995      
Enters agricultural seed market (subsequently disposed of); secures independence for the supply of ammonia by purchase of a share of the Richards Bay ammonia terminal.

1993      
Offshore trading, finance and investment arm established in Mauritius; Omnia becomes a Top 100 Company on the JSE Limited for the first time.

1992      
Political barriers in South Africa begin to crumble – Omnia extends operations into Africa; establishes industrial chemicals division, Intaba Chemicals.

1991      
Establishes porous prill ammonium nitrate and ANFO manufacturing plants to expand its explosives product range.

1988      
Enters agricultural seed market (subsequently disposed of); secures independence for the supply of ammonia by purchase of a share of the Richards Bay ammonia terminal.

1987      
Acquires Bulk Mining Explosives (BME) to diversify into the mining explosives market, using advanced international technology.

1982      
Invests R88 million in its own nitrogen facilities at the Sasolburg complex.

1980      
Lists on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

1976      
Expands liquid operation in the UK and US (subsequently disposed of); opens liquid fertilizer plants at Hectorspruit and Danielsrus.

1974      
Launches direct application ammonia – a unique product for sophisticated farming application; completes superphosphate plant at Sasolburg and phosphoric acid plant at Phokeng.

1972      
Commissions South Africa’s first liquid fertilizer operation.

1967      
Expands into the related fertilizer market by establishing its first granular plant at Sasolburg.

1953      
Omnia founded as a small distributor of agricultural lime.