Matex was incorporated on 30 September 1989 in Singapore and we started our operation in the name of Matex Specialty Chemicals Pte Ltd under the stewardship of Dr Alex Tan Pang Kee. Our principal activities include manufacturing, formulation and sale of specialty chemicals focusing on dyestuffs and auxiliaries for the textile industry.

Between 1989 and 1998, we took many initiatives to go regional and increase our market presence in several overseas markets. We established subsidiaries, distributors and agents spanning across Asia and Europe, including the PRC, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam and the UK.

By 1992 we have a gained strong presence in the Singapore and Malaysia markets. Following the identification of the PRC to be our key market for growth, in 1993 Shanghai Matex Chemicals Co., Ltd (“SMC”) was set up as a joint venture between our Company, Shanghai Pu Dong Tai Ya (a company owned by the Tang-Zheng Pudong Authorities in Shanghai) and Shenyang Research Institute of Chemical Industry (“SRICI”) with interest of 60%, 25% and 15%, respectively. The primary focus of SMC is on the production and sales of reactive dyestuffs for both domestic and export markets. SMC has 12 sales offices servicing customers in Chengdu, Changshou, Changzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Jiangsu, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Wuhan, Wujin, Xiaoshan and Zhengzhou.

In 1997 Unimatex Sdn Bhd (“USB”) was incorporated in Malaysia to further enhance our presence in Malaysia. Located in Ipoh, Malaysia, USB serves as our sales agent and distributor for the Malaysia market, servicing more than 60 Malaysian customers. In addition, USB formulates dyestuffs and auxiliaries to cater to our customers with special requirements as well as provides technical services to support them.

In 1998, Unimatex (Shenyang) Chemicals Industry Co.,Ltd (“USY”) was incorporated in Shenyang, PRC as a 60% owned subsidiary to further increase our manufacturing capacity. Our local partners for USY are Mr Zhang Shixue, General Manager of USY, and SRICI with interest of 25% and 15% respectively. USY manufactures optical brightening agents and auxiliaries for both domestic and export markets of the PRC.

To consolidate our operation in Singapore, we have constructed a new building at 15 Tuas View Square Singapore 637556. We have shifted to our new building in September 2003.