Durban Chemicals Cluster Celebrates Five Years of Accelerator Impact

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal — Since its launch five years ago, the Durban Chemicals Cluster (DCC) Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Accelerator has recorded tangible growth for the local chemicals industry, driving over R41 million in new sales and generating an estimated 359 new jobs.

The milestone was marked at an intimate cocktail event hosted at the Bond Shed in Durban on 24th April 2025, where stakeholders from across the chemicals industry gathered to reconnect, reflect, and acknowledge the partnerships that have fuelled the programme’s success.

Established in 2019 through a partnership between the Durban Chemicals Cluster and eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development Unit, the Accelerator was designed to fast-track SMEs into industrial supply chains. Over the past five years, it has facilitated 96 SME development journeys, connected 33 companies to major industry players through market access initiatives, and unlocked 54 commercial opportunities.

Crucial to the programme’s success has been the support of its lead firms – NCS Resins, H&R South Africa, Sherwin-Williams, FFS Refiners and SAPREF – who have not only funded the initiative but opened up their procurement pipelines to qualifying SMEs. Their participation has been key in translating capacity-building into real commercial contracts, according to Takalani Rathiyaya, Head of the Economic Development Unit at eThekwini Municipality. “For every R1 invested in the Accelerator, R4 in new business has been generated annually,” he said. “The Accelerator’s achievements reflect a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors. It’s a model that not only uplifts entrepreneurs but strengthens supply chains and supports industrial growth.”

Chief Facilitator of the DCC Accelerator, Meghan King, echoed the sentiment. “This is about more than numbers. It’s about the people behind the businesses, the mentors who backed them, and the companies who opened their doors to new suppliers,” she said. “The Accelerator has shown what is possible when the private sector works hand in hand with government to build a stronger economy.”

The success of the programme is best illustrated by participants like Andy Jacobs of AJ85, a 2023 DCC Accelerator Alumnus who went on to win the Industry Game Changer Award. Following his participation, Jacobs secured a supply and lease agreement with H&R South Africa to manage diesel requirements across two sites – a deal that reflects the real, measurable opportunities created through the Accelerator.

Looking ahead, the next chapter of the DCC Accelerator is already underway. Applications for the new intake are open, and this year’s participating lead firms are looking for suppliers with specific capabilities in chemicals manufacturing, waste management and recycling for feedstock (including hazardous solids and liquids, plastic, and e-waste), isotainer heating and transportation, industrial laundry services, AI overlays and data analytics, social media management and multimedia specialists, on-site security and access control services.

“We are only just getting started,” King added. “The opportunity to build resilient, inclusive supply chains is enormous – and initiatives like the Accelerator are helping to turn that opportunity into reality,” she concludes.

The application deadline is 19 May 2025. For further details, please visit https://durbanchemicalscluster.org.za/our-programmes/sme-accelerator/

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Author: SayWatt SayWatt from SayWatt on behalf of Durban Chemicals Cluster.