Matrix formulates right chemistry to expand globally

Entrepreneurial scientist Dr Tan Chee Hong started his palm oil refinery equipment business in 1977 with a humble capital of 10,000 ringgit (HK$23,600). With extensive knowledge in chemicals and the palm oil industry, Tan developed in-house speciality and technology for flavours, fragrances and oleochemicals, giving rise to the Matrix Group.

Creating nature-identical, artificial and customised flavours, Matrix caters to local and international markets, exporting to more than 45 countries across Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Oceania and South America. Seeking global positioning in the food ingredient industry, Matrix has invested HK$101.5 million to equip its facility with state-of-the-art technology to increase production capacity. The first privately-owned flavour house in Southeast Asia, Matrix Flavours and Fragrances (MFF) has 35 years of expertise in creating heat-resistant flavours for niche markets in baking, beverage and ice cream industries, and pharmaceutics. MFF also sees growing strength in the animal feed industry.

A subsidiary with increasing dominance, Matrix Oleochem is Malaysia's biggest exporter of cocodiethanolamide, a thickening and foaming agent. Matrix also established Natural Bleach to supply natural and acid-activated bleaching earths to the edible oil industry.

"Our products are cost-competitive internationally and of high quality," says Tan, group managing director. "We focus on technology innovation to provide cutting-edge solutions to our customers."

Matrix has been accredited with ISO, Good Manufacturing Practices and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system, and has kosher and halal certifications.

To expand its operations, Matrix forged a partnership in India in 2010 for its flavours business, with a marketing network in Myanmar for its flavours. Selling flavours in China for 20 years through its agents, Matrix seeks trusted partners sharing the same values of high integrity, innovation and entrepreneurship in order to strengthen its Asian foothold. "Being in the intellectual assets business, we strive to be at the frontier of technology and ensure that our manufacturing practices and service applications adapt to the changing times," Tan says.