History

	1874 Jones Scott & Co build explosives factory at Deer Park, Victoria (Australia). 1919 Mt Lyell Chemical Company commences caustic soda and chlorine production electrolytically in Yarraville, Victoria (Australia). 1926 Nobel, Brunner Mond and Co, United Alkali Company and British Dyestuffs Corporation merge to form Imperial Chemicals Industries Plc. 1928 Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and New Zealand (ICIANZ) registered. 1928 Leathercloth factory established at Deer Park, Victoria (Australia).
	1936 Commonwealth Fertilisers and Chemicals main chemical plants purchased by ICI ANZ. 1940 Alkali production (Solvay process)commences at Osborne (South Australia). 1940 Newcastle Chemicals formed as joint venture with BHP to make ammonium chloride and other chemicals. 1942 ICI ANZ establishes Botany facility, New South Wales (Australia) to make caustic soda, chlorine and other chemicals. 1956 Central Research Laboratories(CRL) established at Ascot Vale, Victoria (Australia). 1957 Polyethylene plant commissioned at Botany, New South Wales (Australia). 1965 Solar salt field established near Rockhampton, Queensland (Australia).
	1971 ICI ANZ becomes ICI Australia. 1972 ‘Sirotherm’ desalination process jointly developed by ICI Australia and CSIRO. 1974 ‘Flocor’ biological filter packing installed at Bromley sewage treatment works of the Christchurch Drainage Board, New Zealand. 1976 First full scale water treatment plant using ‘Sirotherm’ commissioned at Osborne’s South Australian Alkali factory. 1976 ICI Australia and Mitsubishi Chemical Industries form Japan Sirotherm Ltd to target Asian market. 1983 New ethylene production unit commissioned at Botany, New South Wales (Australia). 1988 Watercare Division established. NSW Rhodes (Oxo Alcohol) plant closed and volumes transferred to strengthen imported bulk business. 1995 ICI NZ acquires Chemical Cleaning Ltd. 1997-98 ICI divests ICI Australia shareholding and the independent ICI Australia becomes Orica. 1998 First MIEX plant commissioned in WA treating water for Perth (Australia).
	2001 Orica Watercare Inc. incorporated in USA. 2002 Acquisition of Fernz Specialty Chemicals (ANZ) and Incitec Industrial Chemicals (Aust). 2004 Australasian footprint broadened with acquisition of Bronson and Jacobs, Marplex (strengthens plastics market), and Woods and Woods (expands food distribution business). 2005 Chemnet’s specialty distribution business expands with acquisition of Keith Harris Flavours and Fragrances. Watercare and Speciality Services businesses acquire Aluminates Chemical Industries. 2006-08 West Australian strategic acquisitions– CSBP Chlor Alkali and Iron Chemicals – strengthens Western Australia market position.
	2015 Ixom separates from Orica as a stand-alone company and remains a market leader in water treatment and chemical distribution in Australia and New Zealand, with a growing presence in North America and South East Asia. 2018 IXOM acquires Logichem business. 2019 IXOM sold from Blackstone to Keppel Infrastructure Trust. 2020 IXOM acquires Medora business. IXOM acquires Kings Park business. 2021 IXOM acquires Australian Botancial Products business. IXOM acquires Mcdonald Agencies business. IXOM acquires SCR Solutions business.