The Gabriel-Chemie Group continues to implement its international growth strategy and announces the opening of a new sales and logistics location in Nairobi, Kenya. The launch of the branch is planned for spring 2026. The new office is intended to serve the Sub-Saharan African market, which is described as one of the most dynamic growth regions worldwide. According to forecasts, the annual growth rate in the plastics and packaging segment in this region is expected to reach 5–7 percent. The new investment is designed to provide the basis for shorter delivery times, closer customer relationships and more direct market access.
New sales and logistics hub in Sub-Saharan Africa
The new location in Nairobi will act as a strategic hub for sales activities, technical consulting and supply chain management. As part of an expanded international structure, which also includes partners from India, Gabriel-Chemie plans to improve price competitiveness, increase product availability and achieve closer integration with local markets. According to the company, this will make it possible to provide European quality standards directly where demand for solutions for the plastics and packaging industry is growing dynamically.
The expansion towards Africa is intended to strengthen the Group's presence in the Sub-Saharan region and create a base for more efficient support of local customers. Nairobi, as a regional economic centre, has been selected as the location of the new office with the aim of reaching customers from various parts of the continent more effectively and aligning the offering more closely with the specifics of national markets.
Importance of the African market in Gabriel-Chemie's strategy
The developing plastics and packaging market in Africa is seen by Gabriel-Chemie as an area with significant long-term growth potential. The company points to the rapid pace of development in the region and the growing importance of local manufacturing and processing. The new branch in Nairobi is intended to enable faster and more direct service for current and future customers.
Andreas Berger, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer, highlights the role of Africa in the company's growth plans.
"Africa is a market with enormous future potential for us. We see how rapidly the region is developing – and we want to be part of this development. With Nairobi, we are creating a central hub from which we can serve our customers faster, more directly and with European quality," explains Andreas Berger.
The new centre will function as a contact point for customers seeking masterbatch solutions and related technical services, while at the same time shortening supply chains. Integration into the Group's international structure, including cooperation with partners from India, is expected to result in more flexible responses to market needs and improved product availability.
Active shaping of global markets
With the opening of the new location in Nairobi, the Gabriel-Chemie Group underlines its ambition to play an active role in shaping global markets and to support local value creation. The company states that its expansion in Africa is linked to a long-term approach to market development, taking into account innovative and sustainable development pathways in the plastics and packaging sector.
Elisabeth Sommer, CEO of the Gabriel-Chemie Group, emphasises the long-term nature of the company's engagement in the region.
"We see long-term growth and opportunities for innovative and sustainable development in the African market. Africa is a region full of opportunities – and we are delighted to pursue this path together with our teams and partners," stresses Elisabeth Sommer.
The company notes that its local presence will enable it to be closer to customers and to better understand the specific requirements of individual market segments. The combination of a global perspective, European reliability and local presence is intended to support the development of long-term relationships with customers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Positioning in the global masterbatch industry
The decision to expand into the African continent is presented by the Gabriel-Chemie Group as another step in strengthening its position as an international supplier in the masterbatch industry. The company points out that the new office in Nairobi fits into a broader geographical growth strategy that envisages a presence in key growth regions while maintaining consistent quality and innovation standards.
In the company's view, combining a global perspective with proximity to the customer is a component of competitive advantage in markets characterised by rapid development and increasing requirements for quality, availability and technical support. The opening of the Nairobi location is also a confirmation that Africa, alongside other regions of the world, has a permanent place in Gabriel-Chemie's long-term growth strategy.
