How IXOM's China Team Supports Reliable Chemical Supply Across Australia and New Zealand

IXOM is a leading chemical manufacturer and distributor across Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific, supporting critical industries with reliable supply, technical expertise and safe operations. This capability has been recognised in the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors ranking, where IXOM was ranked #9 in Asia-Pacific.

Supporting this network is IXOM's dedicated China team, based in Beijing, who work closely with manufacturers and suppliers to help deliver reliable chemical supply to customers across Australia and New Zealand. In FY2025, the team supported the procurement of more than 92,000 tonnes of chemicals from China, representing more than AUD$105 million in purchases.

Connecting Global Supply with Local Requirements

The chemical industry operates across a wide range of markets, regulations and manufacturing environments. Products that meet the requirements of one region may not always meet the standards, packaging specifications or operational needs of another.

IXOM's China team works directly with suppliers to ensure products align with the requirements of customers in Australia and New Zealand. This includes reviewing product specifications, quality standards, packaging requirements and logistics arrangements before products enter the supply chain.

The team's local presence also helps to facilitate clear communication between suppliers and customers. By combining technical knowledge with an understanding of local business practices, the team ensures requirements are consistently delivered.

Building Long-Term Supplier Partnerships

Many of the relationships managed by the China team have been developed over many years. Through regular engagement, site visits and ongoing collaboration, the team works closely with manufacturers to support quality improvements and maintain high standards.

These relationships provide valuable insights into local market conditions, production capabilities and supply opportunities. They also help create a strong foundation for collaboration when new customer requirements emerge.

By working directly with suppliers, IXOM can help ensure the products sourced for customers meet the standards expected across our business and the industries we serve.

Supporting Supply Chain Resilience

Global supply chains continue to face changing market conditions, logistics challenges and fluctuations in demand.

Having a team on the ground in China enables IXOM to respond quickly to market developments, engage directly with suppliers, and maintain visibility across key sourcing networks. This local knowledge supports informed decision-making and helps identify practical solutions when challenges arise.

The team's close connections with manufacturers and logistics providers allow them to coordinate efficiently and help keep products moving through the supply chain.

Turning Customer Challenges into Supply Solutions

The value of this approach can be seen through a recent customer engagement involving a specialised chemical product.

The customer required a product that would consistently meet its operational requirements after experiencing quality concerns with previous supply arrangements. IXOM's team worked closely with the customer to understand the application, product performance expectations and logistics requirements.

Working alongside colleagues in Australia, the China team conducted a detailed review of available suppliers and product grades. They then engaged directly with a manufacturer to verify specifications and ensure the selected product matched the customer's needs.

Beyond product selection, the China team worked with the manufacturer to refine product characteristics, improve handling properties and develop packaging enhancements to support the customer's operations.

Throughout the process, team members conducted supplier visits, quality reviews and ongoing discussions to ensure requirements were clearly understood and consistently implemented.

The result was a supply solution tailored to the customer's needs, supported by strong collaboration between IXOM, the manufacturer and the customer.

Delivering Value Through Expertise and Relationships

While sourcing products is an important part of the supply chain, IXOM's role often extends further. By combining technical expertise, supplier relationships, quality assurance and logistics coordination, our teams help customers access solutions that support their operational requirements.

The China team continues to play an important role in this process. Their market knowledge, supplier partnerships and commitment to IXOM's standards help connect customers with reliable products and dependable supply pathways.

By working closely with suppliers and customers alike, the team helps ensure IXOM can continue delivering the quality, service and reliability that customers depend on across Australia and New Zealand.

To learn how our sourcing expertise can help to solve your challenges, connect with us here.