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History & heritage

A scientific curiosity has driven THOR for over 65 years. It started with Desmond, but throughout the decades, it’s evident in each new product, innovation, and even geographical footprint.

Thor

Innovation born from a lifetime of curiosity

Innovation is in our DNA at THOR. Ever since our founder Desmond Cowley, a chemical engineer from Crayford, England, first used a cement mixer to produce bactericide for the paint market back in 1959.   

It is that ingenuity, that commitment to creating lasting solutions that enable the extraordinary, that we carry with us today and into the future.   

Desmond’s unerring curiosity was the catalyst. THOR’s reaction has been to solve increasingly complex chemical problems, and empower our customers to make longer-lasting, more durable, higher quality products for the betterment of people and planet.

Key early dates

Some of the many milestones that have made THOR what it is today...

1959

Desmond Cowley and Basil Crotch, a paint chemist, form THOR Chemicals Ltd to produce and sell bactericides into the paint market. Initially the pair mixed their chemicals from a garage in a cement mixer, before leasing an old armaments factory in Crayford, England, as the business took off.

1966

The Acticide® trademark is first registered by THOR Specialities UK.

1969

Looking to expand operations into new markets, Desmond travelled to South Africa to set up the first THOR subsidiary. Manufacturing and sales operations were established in Pinetown, near Durban.

1972

THOR Chemie is formed, and acquires German flame-proofing company Dr Quehl. A site is established in Speyer, and becomes the base for not only THOR’s textile business, but also for selling biocides in Germany.

1974

THOR Chemical International Ltd is set up in Margate, UK, to deal with increasing enquiries from abroad. Elsewhere, THOR France is established after the purchase of Akzo Nobel’s textile chemical division in Düran, not only enhancing our product expertise but giving us access to significant markets in Germany, Italy and France.

1978

After assessing the Australian paint market as an achievable opportunity, Desmond travels to visit potential customers in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, before establishing THOR Australia.

1980s

Using THOR Australia as a springboard, we begin THOR’s expansion into the Far East markets.

1983

THOR UK was formed in order to focus on business in the UK and Nordic markets. Desmond then turned his focus across the Atlantic, establishing THOR US to act as a springboard for the business in the Americas.

1990s

Branches in Sweden and New Zealand are established, along with subsidiaries in Italy, Spain, and Japan. THOR Malaysia is incorporated in 1994 and, together with a branch office opened in Singapore three years later, focuses on the expansion of the textile chemical market in Asia. THOR Brazil was opened in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1996.

1998

The Aflammit® trademark is first filed by THOR Specialities UK.

1999

The Microcare® trademark was first granted, announcing our entry into the Personal Care industry.

Turn of the Century

More recently, the company has continued along the trajectory established by Desmond...

2000

THOR Spain relocates to a newly built site in Castellgalí, near Barcelona.

2001

THOR UK relocates to a newly built site in Wincham, Cheshire, UK.

2005

THOR Mexico is established in order to meet additional isothiazolinone demand. A new plant is constructed in Querétaro, Mexico, and is overseen directly by Desmond and supported by the team in THOR Spain.

2011

Having been long-established in Margate, England, THOR Group's UK headquarters move to Bramling, near Canterbury, Kent.

2011

A pioneering new innovative protection for dry-film applications is registered under AMME®

2015

THOR China begin operations, finally enabling THOR to service all continents through three major facilities in Germany, Mexico, and China.

2023

A THOR India subsidiary is opened in New Mumbai.

2024

THOR file the trademark for Amaval® and introduce the world to our innovative, nature-identical, biodegradable multi-functional additives.

2025

Coming soon! New site to open in South Korea.

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