First sulfuryl fluoride fumigation in SA
First sulfuryl fluoride fumigation in SA First sulfuryl fluoride fumigation in SA

Sustainable Fumigation in South Africa

Douglas Products USA officially appoints Fumico as national South African distributors of ProFume ® Fumigant

Official Press Release:

The government has approved the introduction of ProFume® as an option for sustainable fumigation in South Africa. This offers an alternative to methyl bromide as a pest fumigant. The first ProFume® fumigation in South Africa took place on 8 April 2019. The roll out of this award-winning pest control product is set to revolutionize sustainable pest management in South Africa and open export markets to Codex listed trade markets.

In search of a greener future and sustainable fumigation in South Africa

The Montreal Protocol banned the use of Methyl Bromide (MBR) internationally more than a decade ago. Martin Steyn, director and majority shareholder of Fumico (Pty) Ltd. has worked diligently to bring an alternative fumigant to the South African pest industry since that time.

“I attended the NPMA Pestworld in 2004 with a specific view to finding alternatives to Methyl Bromide. At Pestworld I met representatives from DOW AgroSciences and was excited for the potential of the Sulfuryl Fluoride based product ProFume®.” Steyn says.

A long road to travel

Meetings with the DOW market development team in both the U.S and Johannesburg over four ensuing years culminated in a disappointing conclusion: South Africa was not working proactively to phase out Methyl Bromide at that time and DOW AgroSciences could not justify an investment into the market.

It was in the latter part of 2015 when Douglas Products purchased both ProFume® and Vikane® from DOW AgriSciences. Steyn again opened negotiations with the American manufacturer to import and distribute in South Africa. Finding the market now ready for the attributes of Profume® Fumigant, Douglas Products undertook to bring the product to South Africa.

Government requirements took time to finalise. For example, the Protea inspired peach paintwork on South African ProFume® cylinders differentiates the product from other international stock. This is just one such criterion.

First ProFume Fumigation in South Africa

First ProFume Fumigation in SA
Image: Photo from left Martin Steyn, Koos Landman, Brian Turner all from Fumico with Travis Swope from Cardinal Professional Products USA on the site of the first official ProFume® fumigation undertaken in South Africa on Mon 8 April 2019.

Fumico is First

First sulfuryl fluoride fumigation in SA
Commemorating the first mill to use ProFume fumigant in South Africa on 8 April 2019

Fumico was so excited to facilitate the very first mill fumigation using sulfural fluoride in South Africa. A pivotal moment in the pest management industry.

Experience that counts

Martin Steyn and Jacobus (Koos) Landman are two of the directors and shareholders of Fumico (Pty) Ltd. Both are respected and experienced in the field with decades of experience in the pest management and fumigation industry. Their keen understanding of the challenges and limitations faced by fumigators is integral to the systems they have implemented at Fumico. Streamlined supply, modernized administration and professional training in the product are key to the business.

ProFume® is manufactured by Douglas Products in the U.S. Specialised equipment is supplied by Cardinal Professional Products in the United States. Fumico (Pty) Ltd was formed in 2015 with the sole purpose of effectively distributing Sulfuryl Fluoride throughout South Africa and has achieved this with a close working association with both companies.

Footnote

ProFume® officially launched in South Africa in April 2019 and is available to industry professionals through Fumico distribution channels. Contact Fumico on Tel: +27 87 012 5022 or  info@fumico.co.za for further information.