The Process Industries business of thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa was successful in securing the engineering and procurement contract for a 45 tonne modular skid-mounted chlorine plant in Tanzania, the first of its kind to be installed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Process Industries’ General Manager, Neville Eve, and Senior Manager for Special Projects Bruce Bassett, are spearheading the project and were instrumental in winning the contract. The duo are working in close collaboration with thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers based in Milan, Italy, who are responsible for the design, development and manufacture of this new lean method of project delivery for these standardised projects.

thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions’ modular skid mounted 15 and 45 ton capacity chlorine plants are particularly suited to the African market as they offer a cost-effective and practical solution to industries on the continent who require small chlorine alkali plants for applications such as water treatment and mineral processing. Many African countries import chlorine and caustic but the quantities are not large enough to sustain chlorine alkali plants. Small quantity requirements coupled with the vastness of the continent makes importation expensive and economically unviable. An on-site chlorine production solution thus presents a better alternative to import. 

In the modular solution, electrolysis is built on multiple skids that fit into 40 foot containers that can be easily, quickly and cost-effectively transported to site. Construction and assembly is also fast and easy and requires only a small team, leaving only the non-modular plant sections to be stick built.  Rapid project implementation and plant start up time result in substantial savings in terms of construction time and costs.

“thyssenkrupp has installed of over 600 chlorine alkali plants around the world but the Tanzania project is our first involvement,” comments thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa CEO, Sub-Saharan Africa, Philipp Nellessen. “We are extremely excited about this project because it will help us to gain experience in one of thyssenkrupp’s flagship technologies.”

“This project also demonstrates the strategic importance of thyssenkrupp’s presence in Africa through its South African subsidiary,” continues Nellessen. “The skid-mounted chlorine plant will boast the most up-to-date technology and emissions according to World Class Standards. We, as part of the global thyssenkrupp network, have the necessary capabilities and competencies to deliver a world-class technology in the form of the skid-mounted chlorine plant to Africa. This chlor-alkali project serves as a prime example of the successful combination of thyssenkrupp’s global technology and our local knowledge to offer a complete turnkey solution!”

Alongside the development and delivery of products and technologies to boost the profitability of mines and plants in Africa, thyssenkrupp also embraces the growing trend of business-community collaboration. Any successful business, irrespective of industry, is able to develop the local community through employment and upskilling its people which ultimately helps to stimulate the economy of the country where the business is operating. The chlorine plant will be a significant step forward for Tanzania’s industrialisation efforts. The chlorine that will be produced by the plant will be used for disinfection and water treatment and is the basis for many industrial processes. With the help of this plant Tanzania will evolve from an importing to a self-sufficient exporting nation for these chemicals. “It is clear that there is enormous potential for the development of similar plants in Africa,” notes Nellessen.

Oil and gas services company Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd in a joint venture agreement with Junaco (T) Ltd. is responsible for the set up and running of the chlor-alkali plant. Janaco (T) Ltd. is part of the Junaco Group of Companies, a Tanzanian dynamic group with interest in varied businesses including water treatment, agriculture, technological solutions and logistical services. Junaco Group of Companies work in alliances and partnership with several world class manufacturers and service providers.

Serba DInamik Holdings Bhd is taking up a 25% stake in a joint-venture company in Tanzania, Sufini Holding Ltd, a special purpose vehicle to hold 100% of equity in Msufini (T) Ltd, which in turn will own the plant directly and also provide assistance and support to Msufini.

The ground-breaking ceremony took place in the Msufini area in Tanzania on Tuesday 24th April 2018.