Local water treatment chemicals manufacturer, Chilmund Chemicals, has expanded its footprint into regional markets, riding on a US$25 million investment into its Bindura plant to drive exports across the region, a company official has said.
The company, which started as a trading entity in 2007, is now exporting granulated, liquid and kibbled aluminium sulphate — a critical coagulant used in water purification — to Zambia, Mozambique, Angola, and the DRC, business development and marketing manager Mr Nicholas Bhero said in an interview.
Chilmund’s success story highlights the progress the country has made towards industrialisation and serves as a teaser ahead of the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo on July 23–24, 2026.
The indaba is being organised by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in partnership with ZimTrade and local think tank Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS).
Chilmund’s export drive follows strategic business engagements initiated during the 2024 SADC Industrialisation Week in Harare, which allowed the firm to secure bulk supply leads with regional off-takers.
The company’s high-tech manufacturing plant has an installed production capacity of 7 200 tonnes per month.
With domestic demand currently averaging 1 800 tonnes per month, the company is utilising its excess capacity to service regional markets, currently moving roughly 3 500 metric tonnes across the regional markets.
“I am glad to say that we now supply to Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and the DRC and we are still in talks with other SADC member states,” Mr Bhero said, noting that negotiations are underway to secure two additional regional markets by the end of the year.
The company’s domestic position was recently reinforced by the Government’s enactment of Statutory Instrument (SI) 59 of 2026, which introduced import management measures on aluminium sulphate to protect local industry from cheaper imports.
“The Government is saying, let’s buy local.
“They are promoting local products,” Mr Bhero said. “Because here we are manufacturing, so there is no need to import.”
To optimise its production ecosystem and reduce supply-chain dependencies, Chilmund has advanced plans to vertically integrate its operations. The company has secured land in Bindura where it intends to construct a dedicated sulphuric acid plant, thereby eliminating its reliance on raw material imports.
Alumina hydroxide, the other primary raw material, continues to be sourced from China.
Mr Bhero said the Bindura operation was supported by infrastructure interventions, including the allocation of a dedicated power line to bypass local electricity supply challenges and ensure uninterrupted manufacturing.
Aside from commercial operations, the firm actively extends credit lines to local authorities to maintain adequate chemical stocks for public health management.
“For us as an organisation, we are saying, yes, there is profit to be made. But we are also your public health partners,” Mr Bhero said.
Chilmund currently employs 200 permanent workers alongside a flexible roster of casual labourers.
The company is expected to feature its transition from a boutique trading firm to an export-driven manufacturer at the upcoming Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo 2026.
“The investment conference is a platform for us to showcase what Zimbabwean entrepreneurs can do,” said Mr Bhero.
“Our story on how we transitioned from being a trading company to a continental giant is a testament to the potential in the Zimbabwean industry.
“And I think the conference will bring policymakers, financiers, and regional players together. We will be able to demonstrate and showcase how the Zimbabwean industry can anchor continental value chains.
“This is essential to building investor confidence that Zimbabwe needs to realise its full industrial potential.”
The summit is designed to accelerate Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda, drive structural transformation, and promote deep value addition across key economic sectors.
One of the key focus areas is import substitution — showcasing how local multi-million dollar investments like Chillmond Chemicals can replace imports — and exploring how domestic industries can anchor regional and continental value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The conference brings together senior policymakers, regional trade players, financiers, local entrepreneurs, SME’s to build investor confidence and map out industrial growth.-herald
