Omnia Holdings (Omnia) – an international, diversified group supplying chemicals, specialised services, technology and integrated solutions for the agriculture, mining and chemical application industries – has won the 2022 Best Sustainable Diversified Chemicals Group in Africa award by leading business and finance platform, CFI.co.
Each year, CFI.co identifies organisations that contribute significantly to economies and excel in adding value for all stakeholders, while caring for the planet. This honour is thus testament to the enduring commitment to achieving zero harm, making a positive impact, and creating a better world across Omnia’s BME, Omnia Nutriology, Protea Mining Chemicals and Protea Chemicals divisions.
The prestigious award acknowledges Omnia’s commendable progress in consistently adopting sustainable development practices (particularly improvements in emissions, carbon credits, renewable energy projects, oil recycling and water efficiency), while integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) into its core strategic frameworks. It also recognises the group’s emphasis on driving noteworthy empowerment initiatives and leveraging leading-edge technology as well as innovation, to enhance value for every stakeholder.
Commenting on the award, Seelan Gobalsamy, CEO of Omnia said: “Omnia is proud to receive this award in recognition of our commitment to expert execution of sustainable development practices and initiatives throughout our value chain. Our approach to sustainability is deeply embedded across a growing number of facets within our business and aims to not only enhance our own impact but that of our customers, too. We are consciously and progressively investing in technology, time and resources to ensure due respect and care for our natural environments. People are at the heart of everything we do and the upskilling and empowerment of individuals, both within and outside of our business, is a core tenet of our corporate stewardship.”
Omnia’s strong governance, proactive stakeholder engagement and collaborative partnerships to accelerate its progress in terms of SDGs were also highlighted as indicators of the business’s commitment to shared value. From a social impact perspective, Omnia’s emerging farmer programme – which provides small scale farmers with financial loans, technology solutions, technical skills, and knowledge to farm more efficiently – was especially lauded. This initiative aims to help emerging farmers achieve commercial success by developing them into self-sufficient and profitable agripreneurs.
On the environmental front – aligned to the group’s 2030 sustainability strategy targets – Omnia has invested R58 million towards solar projects to supplement up to 40% of its electricity requirements. Further investments to optimise cooling tower cycles at its Sasolburg plant, have yielded a 44% decrease in water discharged. In the same vein, more than 50 megalitres of water was recycled and reused – which is equivalent to the volume held by more than 20 Olympic sized swimming pools.
“The success of Omnia’s commercial turnaround, strategic business focus, prudent cash management and operational efficiencies have been vital enablers for the sustainability milestones that we have been able to achieve thus far, and those that we continue to strive towards as we grow the business. I wish to thank every member of the Omnia family for their role in bolstering and accelerating our sustainability journey,” concluded Gobalsamy.
