Trailblazing Acacia-Composites
Acacia-Composites Manufacturers produces wood composite products (WCP) from invasive bush, specialised polymers, and additives. The nearly five-year-old company manufactures high-quality decking and cladding solutions, turning an ecological problem into premium, strong, attractive, and eco-friendly products for the Namibian and international markets.
According to general manager Eike Bolm, the company is 70% Namibian-owned, with German partners holding the remaining 30%. “The idea originated from our German partner, who has worked in biomass and wood for many years. He came to Namibia a few years ago, saw the abundance of acacia bush and the extensive de-bushing taking place, and asked what could be done with all the resulting raw material. That’s where the idea of manufacturing composite decking came from. There is a real need for a quality product in the market,” he said.
“When we talk about composite decking, it’s still a relatively new product. It hasn’t been around for very long, but it is becoming increasingly relevant as natural wood becomes more expensive. We saw the opportunity and decided to start a company in Namibia, given the availability of raw materials. By using this material, we also help farmers with de-bushing. In the past, they would clear the bush, and often just burn it or leave it behind.
Now we buy it from farmers, who deliver it in woodchip form. We turn those wood chips into powder and add our additives and plastic – specifically HDPE plastic.
What’s interesting is that our product consists of 70% intruder bush wood, 25% plastic, and 5% additives,” Bolm explained. “I don’t think there are many products in the world with those ratios.
“An interesting fact is that we’re the only composite manufacturing company in Southern Africa,” he added.
Only invasive bush used
“We only work with acacia bush, specifically blackthorn and sickle bush. Those are the only species we use. We’ve also started working with Terminalia (Silver Terminalia), commonly known as the yellow tree,” Bolm said.
Asked whether Acacia-Composites encourages indiscriminate clearing, Bolm was emphatic: “No, absolutely not. We adhere to strict rules. We have all the required permits, and our suppliers must be members of the relevant associations and hold permits allowing them to harvest these trees.
“Because we export to various countries, including Germany, Zimbabwe, Dubai, and South Africa, and are exploring markets such as Egypt, and Italy, we must comply with very strict regulations. We recently exported to Dubai and are currently engaging with Réunion. Exporting to countries like Germany requires full compliance, and we ensure that all permits and certifications are in place,” he said.
The process
“The truck arrives from the farmer and drops off the raw material, which has already been processed through a wood chipper. These chips are size P10. They go into a hammer mill, where we produce wood flour. This flour is then fed into a large mixing vessel, which we call a cooking pot. There, we add the additives and plastics, and everything is mixed thoroughly.
“From there, the material is transferred into a granulator, where it is heated and takes on a dough-like consistency. It then passes through another mill, where we produce small pellets known as granules. These granules are essential for extrusion. They are fed into our extrusion machines. We have two extruders where the material is subjected to very high heat and pressure. It melts into a paste and is slowly extruded through moulds with different finishes. Once it exits the mould, it takes on its final shape,” he explained.
Growing company, growing range
Acacia-Composites manufactures unique double-sided decking, various wall cladding options, and fascia boards. “We’ve also recently started manufacturing shade louvres,” Bolm added. “We’re constantly growing and innovating by adding new products. Our product mix has expanded significantly. We started with three colours and now offer seven. That alone shows how much we’ve grown over the past year. It’s quite remarkable, and the quality of the product speaks for itself.”
Although Acacia-Composites Manufacturers currently employs 11 people, expansion is underway. “We’re employing another six people this year as we’re growing rapidly,” Bolm said.
He encouraged other entrepreneurs to pursue manufacturing ventures, noting Namibia’s broader industrialisation goals. “The first two and a half to three years were mainly about testing the product. We weren’t producing for sale yet. Over the past two years, we’ve started selling, as we achieved the results we were aiming for.”
Breakthrough and global appeal
The company’s breakthrough project was supplying composite products for the University of Namibia (UNAM) campus in Katima Mulilo. “That was our first project – about 2 000 square metres – and it was very successful. Phase two is expected to start this year,” Bolm said.
Regarding government plans to establish special economic zones, Bolm said the company is keenly interested. “That’s something we definitely want to be involved in, and we’ve already had discussions.”
The company sells directly to the public and to businesses. “There are different pricing structures, but anyone is welcome to buy directly from the factory. We also recommend using dedicated, qualified installers who work independently,” he said.
Bright outlook
Looking ahead, Bolm said the company has exceeded all expectations. “Based on what we’ve lined up and the projects we’re working on, we’ve actually quadrupled our target. Business has been good to us, and several contracts and projects have materialised. We’ve received the go-ahead, and that gives you an idea of how fast this business is growing.
“The world is our oyster,” Bolm said. “We can supply to anyone, anywhere.
“We’re targeting Southern Africa, Africa more broadly, and international markets. Our German partner is pursuing opportunities in Italy, Spain, and Croatia. Based on our plans, this business is set to grow from a medium-sized operation into a large enterprise,” he said.
Start your own
Reflecting on the process of establishing a new business, Bolm acknowledged the challenges. “It’s never easy. There are always issues – machinery, staffing, skills, supply. The list is long,” he said.
Despite this, he encourages other Namibians to take the leap. “If you have an idea, even if it’s not as unique as this one, and you see a gap in the market, go for it. There’s always risk, but if you believe in it, put your energy into it. It’s tough, but you learn quickly, and it’s incredibly rewarding. When you look at where we started and where we are now, it’s just incredible.”
