Draslovka is a family-owned private company focused on the production of specialty chemicals and proprietary manufacturing technologies with over 100 years’ experience of operating within the hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production and chemistry sector.  The Company, which has production and services facilities in the Czech Republic, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and India, has a strong track record of innovation and efficiency improvement. Draslovka is a committed a long-term oriented business and plans to invest within the facility to increase production and improve efficiency, with the longer term goal of not only serving the South African mining industry, but to export across Africa to meet growing demand. Draslovka aims to be a leading global player in the production of cyanides for use in synthesis, mining, and industrial and agricultural applications. This will be Draslovka’s first major investment into the African continent and forms part of its international expansion plans.

Draslovka has been present in South Africa for nearly a decade through its Draslovka Services South Africa unit which operates under the brand name Agri-Soil, based in Stellenbosch. Draslovka Services is the leading fumigation company in South Africa focused on providing services to farmers in the context of care about soil.

Draslovka three main operations:

• Chemical Specialities – utilizing cyanide-based molecules for a variety of industrial and pharmaceutical applications
• Agriculture Science – producing sustainable fumigants, fertilizers and growth regulators, which help to increase crop yields
• Industrial Chemicals – creating chemical compounds for use in a variety of industries ranging from mining and coating

For more information access the Czech company website: www.draslovka.cz.

Mr. Pavel Bruzek, the chief executive officer of Draslovka, said the company believes the South African market offers significant long-term opportunities and the investment, both strategically as well as culturally, fits in well with the company’s family business structure. “This acquisition will allow Draslovka to not only better serve the South African mining and associated industries but in the longer-term, enhance South Africa’s exports and provide greater access to the Draslovka’s leading agricultural materials. From a wider perspective, the announcement represents the first step on our global ambitions to take Draslovka to the next level, leveraging our leading technology to drive output, increase efficiency to better serve the mining and agricultural industries. In addition to our initial investment, we plan to invest a further $50m into modernising the facility, expanding the plant and ensuring it meets our world-leading environmental standards. This will allow us to enhance our offerings into products that are currently imported into South Africa from other countries.” Bruzek said the company is committed to maintaining the strictest and most up-to-date safety and environmental measures, and aligning with European regulations and international standards.

As part of Draslovka’s commitment to address the economic transformation objectives of South Africa, it has partnered with Navuka Investment Holdings as its broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) partner. Navuka will own 25% plus one share of the SA operations. Navuka is a Black Women Owned private company incorporated in the Republic of South Africa. The company is a holding Company with investments in mining, retail and industrial products, with its principal operating asset being Lower Orange River Diamonds (Ply) Ltd. Navuka CEO, Nathiera Kimber, said its partnership with Draslovka will allow it to play a more meaningful role in South Africa’s chemical industry. “This opportunity will further expand our investments into this sector of the mining industry and allow us to play a meaningful role with Draslovka in servicing the mining sector, especially the country’s all-important gold industry.”

Author: FTI Consulting on behalf of Draslovka