History

The launch date of the manufacturing operations by Zachem, and thus the date of the company's establishment is 4 December 1948. The first batch of blasting material for the mining industry was then produced based on the remnants of the former German explosives factory built during World War II. From its inception until December 2006, it was a state chemical company.

Between 1948 and 1952, the company produced mainly explosives for military and civilian purposes, such as TNT, tetrile and pentrite. Additionally, the company denitrated acids and produced dinitrotoluene (DNT), nitrobenzene and aniline, as well as conducted nitration acid management necessary for its production profile. From 1953 to 1960, the company saw the development of civilian production, such as processed PVC products, dye intermediates, dyes, pigments and phenol. And in the period from 1961 to 1970, experimental isocyanate, diane, and polycarbonate production plants were tested, and study work for the construction of a polyurethane complex were carried out. Production in the area of PVC and dye processing was also developed.

The 1970s brought the implementation of a polyurethane project. In 1971, Zachem launched production of flexible polyurethane foams, and then in 1974 it subsequently started brine electrolysis, phosgene, DNT, toluenodiamine (TDA) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) plants. In 1976, Zachem launched a project to start epichlorohydrin production (EPI). In addition, the company produced rigid foams and pur foam shapes for the automotive industry.

The period from 1981 to 1990 was characterised by continuing basic production and investment stagnation, which resulted from the economic difficulties in Poland. At the end of this period, a production restructuring program was developed with particular emphasis on environmental protection. At the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, systems particularly burdensome for the environment (phenol, aniline, nitrobenzene and a number of organic intermediates, dyes and dye intermediates) were closed, also due to changes in the dye and textile market.

In 1992, the company was split into Zakłady Chemiczne Organika - Zachem and Zakłady Chemiczne Nitrochem. Both companies retained their state-owned status. The former took over civilian production, and the latter became an arms production plant. 16 companies providing support services (repairs, transport, design, storage and social services) were also established.

The 1990s saw further development of pur foam, TDI, PVC and epichlorohydrin production, and a major upgrade of the brine electrolysis plants. Unprofitable and environmentally harmful production was consistently closed. Additionally, Zachem was the first company in the group of chemical companies in Poland to join the international "Responsible Care" environmental program.

Between 2001 and 2003, the company underwent a thorough upgrade of the TDI plants (doubled capacity). At that time, a biological sewage treatment plant, built mainly from the funds provided by Zachem and the Municipality of Bydgoszcz, was also put into use.

The first step on the road to the planned privatisation was the transformation of Zachem into a limited company with a 100% share owned by the Treasury on 5 May 2003. As a result of the privatisation process, on 20 December 2006, 80% of the shares of Zachem S.A. were acquired by Ciech SA, and the company became part of one of the largest chemical groups in Central Europe.

The new owner ensured the development of key plants in the privatisation process. In 2009, expansion (in 2 stages) of the flexible pur foam production plant was completed, significantly increasing its production capacity and assortment capabilities. In the same year, further extension of the the main Zachem's product, i.e. TDI, was finalised. The company has also received EU subsidies for the project for construction of an epichlorohydrin plant based on a new technology (a more profitable and green one) and for complex organisation of water and waste water management.

Besides, the company has received government aid from funds for innovative projects of the National Research and Development Centre to change the TDI production technology. All the past years, the experience of the Company's employees and its strategic development plans included in the mission of Ciech Chemical Group represent a firm foundation for the continued functioning of Zachem on the domestic and global chemical market.