G-Chem Aquacare: Closing the gap with results-driven industrial water treatment

As water scarcity intensifies across South Africa, industrial businesses are facing increasing pressure to manage their water resources responsibly and efficiently. From unreliable municipal supply to stricter environmental regulations, companies are being forced to rethink how water is sourced, used and discharged within their operations.

This responsibility extends across the entire industrial water ecosystem. Businesses must carefully evaluate their available water sources, whether municipal supply, rainwater harvesting, boreholes or river water, and determine whether the water quality is appropriate for its intended use. Equally important is the question of what happens when water leaves the plant: can it be recycled for further use or must it be treated before safe discharge?

These are key considerations highlighted by CEO Shaun Golding and his team at industrial water treatment specialist G-Chem Aquacare.

“In today’s context of national water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and increasing regulatory pressure, we help industries do more with less water, protecting critical assets and supporting environmental compliance,” Golding explains.

Trusted industrial water partners

The founders and shareholders of G-Chem Aquacare bring decades of hands-on experience in industrial water treatment, offering deep insight into the challenges currently shaping the sector.

Golding notes that many water treatment companies have reduced investment in technical training, research and development. As a result, parts of the industry have shifted toward transactional supply models focused primarily on chemicals and equipment rather than comprehensive water management partnerships.

G-Chem Aquacare positions itself differently by focusing on long-term partnerships built on technical expertise, accountability and operational understanding. This approach ensures that water treatment strategies are tailored to the specific needs of each client rather than relying on standardised product-based solutions.

“Our founders recognised a growing gap in the provision of results-driven, technically accountable water treatment solutions which specifically meet our clients’ needs. Too often, clients were sold products rather than client-driven solutions, with limited technical understanding of their processes, risks and long-term objectives.

We invest in strong, committed and technically well-trained water technologists who understand our clients’ operational needs, and are accountable for their water quality, efficiency and risk reduction,” Golding advises.

Growth in water treatment

Since its establishment in 2016, G-Chem Aquacare has grown into a multi-regional industrial water treatment company serving complex industrial and processing operations across South Africa.

Managing Director Kevin Naidoo highlights several key milestones, including long-term service partnerships with major industrial clients and the successful implementation of water treatment programmes in high-risk operational environments.

These programmes cover critical systems such as boilers, cooling circuits, effluent treatment facilities and HVAC infrastructure where operational reliability and regulatory compliance are essential.

“G-Chem Aquacare embraces practical, field-proven innovation which improves control, reduces risk, and delivers measurable outcomes. At G-Chem Aquacare, technology is implemented where it adds operational value, never for novelty.

This includes the increased use of online monitoring and automation, adoption of modern treatment chemistries and the continuous refinement of technical standards across boiler, cooling and effluent systems,” says Naidoo.

The company also collaborates closely with international technology partners and original equipment manufacturers to align its solutions with global best practice. Performance data is used to optimise water, energy and chemical consumption while improving operational efficiency.

G-Chem Aquacare is also a member of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), an international body representing water treatment professionals. According to Golding, this connection ensures the company remains aligned with global developments and innovation trends in leading markets such as the United States, China and India.

Supporting multiple industries

G-Chem Aquacare focuses on four key operational areas where water treatment performance is critical: boiler water treatment, cooling water treatment, effluent treatment and clarification.

“This focused approach enables deeper technical training, targeted innovation and disciplined service delivery, resulting in more reliable and sustainable outcomes for clients,” Naidoo notes.

Through these specialised services, the company supports a wide range of industries including food and beverage processing, dairy, poultry and fisheries, packaging and plastics manufacturing, timber processing, automotive production, pharmaceuticals, commercial buildings and data centres.

Additional sectors served include HVAC and refrigeration, sugar and agri-processing, steel manufacturing, mining and mineral processing.

“By specialising in defined water treatment services across these industries, G-Chem Aquacare develops a deeper understanding of process-specific risks, regulatory requirements and operational priorities. This enables the delivery of practical, results-driven industrial programmes that protect assets, optimise water use, reduce downtime and support compliance,” Naidoo continues.

A vision for sustainable water use

According to Golding, the company’s core values are built around technical excellence, performance and measurable results for clients. This culture emphasises continuous improvement, supported by strong technical expertise and teamwork across the organisation.

The company has also strengthened its technical capability by incorporating experienced specialists who provide leadership and mentorship across its core disciplines of boiler, cooling, effluent and clarification water treatment.

Through structured training programmes, ongoing skills development and a strong focus on safety and accountability, G-Chem Aquacare aims to maintain consistent service quality and long-term operational resilience.

Looking ahead

Golding believes the future of industrial water treatment lies in helping companies optimise their overall water footprint through smarter management and reuse strategies.

“While the ultimate objective for many industrial facilities is Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), achieving this requires a clear understanding of each step in the industrial water cycle, the supporting treatment technologies and the operational realities of the plant. We work closely with clients to develop practical, phased strategies for water use and reuse, balancing environmental responsibility with financial sustainability,” Golding concludes.