History

KCC is a family business founded in 1958 that employ over 4,600 people in 17 countries.

The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea generating $2.6 billion and are a global leader in coatings and speciality chemicals. KCC is re-engineering for the 21st century, with innovative functional siloxane ingredients designed to meet the ever growing global demands for safe, effective and environmentally sound technology, with a focus on redefining the personal care sector.

1971

In 1971 the proud silicone manufacturing company Basildon Chemical Company Limited was created in the small town of Upper Basildon, Oxfordshire by MD and owner Kelvin Bryon. Initially a small family run operation, Kelvin developed and manufactured various industrial antifoams and release products, which were then scaled up and made on a toll basis by a local chemical manufacturer, under Kelvin Bryon’s supervision.

1973

In 1973, the decision was taken to rent a light industrial unit which began the legacy of Basildon Chemicals manufacturing. A 2,000 sq. ft. unit was rented in Milton in Oxfordshire and this was equipped with a laboratory, office and production area for the manufacture of emulsions and compounds. The Company stayed at Milton for some six years, during which time the operation expanded to 4,000 sq. ft.

1978

In 1978 some land was purchased locally, what is now the main European site for KCC Basildon, and construction on it was completed in 1979. The Initially, 8,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and warehousing space, with 2,000 sq. ft. for offices and a laboratory was expanded in 1981 by a further 8,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space.

1981

At this time in 1981, Basildon Chemicals began manufacture of its wide range of Food and Kosher grade antifoams as well as initial work began on producing our antifoams to Pharmaceutical standards. In 1989, Basildon ventured into manufacturing its variety of high tech emulsions and functional materials for the Personal Care industry. These three sectors went on to become a strong focus for the company,

1996

In 1996 the Company completed a further large expansion of its offices and Laboratories and generally upgraded both the interior and exterior of the offices. In April 1997 the decision was taken to build a new warehouse, as storage space at Kimber Road was becoming increasingly limited. The nearest suitable site was at Hawksworth, Southmead Industrial Park, Didcot. The building of a 20,400 sq. ft warehouse with 2,300 sq. ft. of office space was started in May 1997 and completed in October 1997.

2011

Over the next decade the company flourished, strengthening its position in the global markets of Personal Care, Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals and Industry. At this incredible high point in his career, in April 2011 Kelvin Bryon made the decision to part ways from Basildon Chemicals and handed the keys of his company to the world’s sixth largest silicones manufacturer, the KCC Corporation.

2013

Now at present day, we the 65 people at the Abingdon site of KCC Basildon Chemicals are proud to be part of the KCC Corporation based in Seoul, Republic of Korea, a 5,000+ people strong organisation that has great things planned for 2013 and beyond.