Water treatment and chemical distributor Ixom has expanded its product portfolio with the acquisition of New Zealand-based Air1 and AdBlue distributors SCR Solutions.

The sale was finalised at the end of November last year. There will be no changes to employees, products or the service model as part of this acquisition, the company said.

Ixom is the market leader in water treatment and chemical distribution in Australia and New Zealand, with a growing presence in Latin America and Asia. It provides products services across key business areas of trading in chemicals, water treatment, manufactured products and bulk liquids and gases.

“SCR’s expertise and knowledge of the manufacturing and distribution business, as well as its commitment to its customers, are enormously valued at Ixom,” said Sean Eccles, general manager NZ, Ixom.

“I’m delighted that this acquisition supports our strategy.”

Eccles said the addition of AdBlue into Ixom’s product portfolio broadens the range of products it offers customers and has growth potential in the Australian market.

“Being an environmentally friendly product that reduces emissions, it gives us a stronger foothold in the green chemicals sector and complements our existing distribution of GoClear Blue with Ballance in New Zealand,” he said.

The acquisition comes as the Australian trucking industry faces a shortage of AdBlue.

However, Eccles said Ixom has a ‘healthy, resilient supply of AdBlue and are well placed to meet local demand’.

“We work hard to maintain multiple supply channels, with both imported and locally produced product, to ensure continuity of supply to our customers,” he said.

“Most people understand that there is sufficient product available. We’d like to thank the end users of AdBlue – truck drivers, bus drivers and farmers – and our customers, for their collective response; most are purchasing product in line with their normal buying patterns.”