Siam Chemicals
Siam Chemicals is a Thai chemicals company involved in basic chemicals, fertilizers, lubricants, chemical trading, storage and related industrial services.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Siam Chemicals Public Company was established in Thailand in 1959 as The Siam Chemicals Company Limited by Dr. Charng Ratanarat together with scientists, engineers and businesspeople. Ratanarat had studied in Germany and sought to build domestic manufacturing capacity for bulk chemicals and industrial supplies that Thailand had previously imported. The company’s original mission was closely tied to national industrial and agricultural development: it aimed to supply downstream manufacturers and farmers with locally produced sulfuric acid, fertilizers and other basic chemical inputs. The company began producing sulfuric acid in 1960. A larger sulfuric-acid plant was completed in 1966 using a double-absorption process described as the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Over time, the product range expanded to include nitrous oxide, potash alum, acids, bases and salts. In 1968 Siam Chemicals became the first Thai producer of bulk-blended fertilizer, marketed under the Three Nagas brand. Its logistics infrastructure also developed alongside manufacturing. Wharf 5C, a riverside harbor and port facility, was completed in 1971, followed by general-cargo warehouses and a tank farm. Siam Chemicals later broadened its activities beyond core chemical production. It began producing lubricating oil for the Petroleum Authority of Thailand in 1983 and entered liquid tank-farm services in 1995, handling fuels, solvents and drummed liquid goods for land transport. In 1996 it commenced oil trading as a certified importer through collaborations with Kuwait National Petroleum and Hyundai Global Oil. Its analytical laboratory was registered with Thailand’s Ministry of Industry in 1997 to analyze wastewater and pollutants for the company and other factories in Samut Prakan. A computer-numerical-control machining center installed in 2009 supported the production of custom spare parts. The business was registered as a public company in 1994 with registered capital of 200 million baht. Management at that stage was led by Chira Ratanarat, the founder’s son, who had studied automotive engineering at the University of Stuttgart. The reference material records an increase in registered capital to 800 million baht by 2009. In 2010 the S-Chem Group was organized as a group of companies sharing core management. The group included Siam Fine Chemicals, SFS Aviation, Southern Oxygen, ChiraTech Maxima Research Group and Phoenix Petroleum Business Development. Research and development has focused on applying laboratory and engineering work to industrial operations. By 2012, research outcomes had been implemented at commercial scale in blending units for fuel and lubricating oils. The stated research areas included ethanol fuel, lubricants for ethanol engines and modifications enabling engines to operate on ethanol. The company’s oil business was revived in 2013, and the reference describes Siam Chemicals as one of Thailand’s large lubricant makers, with production of approximately five million liters per month and supply to more than 60 brands in Asia at that time. A plan to double monthly capacity was also reported, although the reference does not establish whether that target was achieved. Siam Chemicals’ broader business system therefore combines basic-chemical manufacturing with fertilizer production, lubricant formulation, oil and chemical trading, storage, testing, engineering and logistics. Through affiliated companies, the group has also operated aviation and industrial-gas activities. Its positioning is that of a vertically connected Thai industrial supplier rather than a consumer-facing chemical brand, serving downstream manufacturers, agriculture, energy-related operations and industrial customers.
History
Siam Chemicals was founded in 1959 as The Siam Chemicals Company Limited by Dr. Charng Ratanarat and a group of Thai scientists, engineers and businesspeople. Ratanarat’s education in Germany influenced his ambition to reduce Thailand’s dependence on imported bulk chemicals, commodities and industrial supplies. The company was created to support the country’s developing industrial economy and agricultural sector through local production of chemical feedstocks and fertilizers. Production began in 1960 with sulfuric acid. The company’s major early technical milestone came in 1966, when it completed a sulfuric-acid plant using a double-absorption system. The reference identifies this installation as the first such mass-production system in Southeast Asia. Siam Chemicals also produced nitrous oxide and potash alum during this period. In 1968 it became the first company in Thailand to manufacture bulk-blended fertilizer, selling the product under the Three Nagas name. Manufacturing growth was accompanied by investment in infrastructure. Wharf 5C, a riverside harbor and port, was completed in 1971, together with general-cargo warehouses and a tank farm. The facilities enabled the company to handle raw materials and finished goods in addition to manufacturing them. In 1983 Siam Chemicals began producing lubricating oil for the Petroleum Authority of Thailand, extending its activities into the petroleum-products market. The company diversified further during the 1990s. It began providing liquid tank-farm services in 1995, storing fuels, solvents and drummed liquid products for onward land transport. In 1996 it entered oil trading as a certified oil importer through exclusive collaborations identified in the reference as involving Kuwait National Petroleum and Hyundai Global Oil of Korea. In 1997 its analytical laboratory was registered with Thailand’s Ministry of Industry to analyze wastewater and pollutants, including for other factories in Samut Prakan. In 2009 a CNC machining center was installed to manufacture custom spare parts. Siam Chemicals became a public company in 1994 with registered capital of 200 million baht. Management was led by Chira Ratanarat, the founder’s son, who held a master’s degree in automotive engineering from the University of Stuttgart. The reference records registered capital of 800 million baht by 2009. In 2010, the S-Chem Group was formed as an umbrella for companies with common core management. The listed affiliates were Siam Fine Chemicals, SFS Aviation, Southern Oxygen, ChiraTech Maxima Research Group and Phoenix Petroleum Business Development. The group’s later development combined research with industrial implementation. By 2012, research results had been applied to the design, installation and operation of blending units for fuel and lubricating oils. Research areas included ethanol fuels, lubricants for ethanol-powered engines and engine modifications intended to allow ethanol operation. In 2013 the oil business was revived. The reference describes Siam Chemicals as one of Thailand’s largest lubricant makers at that time, producing about five million liters per month and supplying more than 60 brands in Asia, with a plan to increase capacity to ten million liters per month. The wider S-Chem structure also included specialized businesses. Siam Fine Chemicals manufactured engine and industrial lubricants, traded base oils and solvents, rented warehouse and tank capacity, and operated laboratory services such as cold-cranking simulation, Karl Fischer titration, Fourier-transform infrared analysis and X-ray fluorescence analysis. SFS Aviation provided helicopter transport for oil-and-gas operations and operated from bases in Bangkok and Songkhla. Southern Oxygen produced industrial and medical gases, including oxygen, argon, nitrous oxide and nitrogen, and also participated in fertilizer activities. Together, these activities show Siam Chemicals evolving from a basic-chemical producer into a diversified industrial group centered on chemical manufacturing, formulation, logistics, testing and technical services.
- 2013
Oil business revived
[1]The oil business was revived, with the company described as producing approximately five million liters of lubricants per month for Asian brands.
- 2012
Research applied to industrial blending
[1]Research outputs were implemented in industrial fuel and lubricant blending units, alongside work on ethanol fuels and engines.
- 2010
S-Chem Group formed
[1]An affiliated-company group was established under common core management.
- 2009
CNC machining center installed
[1]A CNC facility was added to produce customized spare parts.
- 1997
Industrial analytical laboratory registered
[1]The group’s laboratory was registered with Thailand’s Ministry of Industry to analyze wastewater and pollutants.
- 1996
Oil trading begins
[1]Siam Chemicals commenced oil trading as a certified importer through collaborations with overseas petroleum companies.
- 1995
Liquid tank-farm services begin
[1]The company began providing ship-to-shore liquid storage services for fuels, solvents and drummed liquid goods.
- 1994
Public-company registration
[1]The company became a public company with registered capital of 200 million baht.
- 1983
Lubricant production for PTT
[1]Siam Chemicals began producing lubricating oil for the Petroleum Authority of Thailand.
- 1971
Wharf and logistics facilities completed
[1]Wharf 5C and associated general-cargo warehouse and tank-farm infrastructure were completed.
Products and positioning
A Thai industrial chemicals and materials supplier combining domestic basic-chemical production with fertilizer manufacturing, lubricant blending, chemical and oil trading, storage, testing and related technical services.
Basic chemicals · 1960
Sulfuric acid
Siam Chemicals began producing sulfuric acid in 1960. Its 1966 plant used a double-absorption system and formed a central part of the company’s original strategy of supplying Thailand with domestically manufactured bulk chemical inputs.
Fertilizers · 1968
Three Nagas fertilizer
Three Nagas was the brand name used for the company’s bulk-blended fertilizer. Introduced in 1968, it represented Siam Chemicals’ early expansion from industrial acids into agricultural inputs and supported its stated goal of serving Thailand’s farming sector with local production.
Lubricants · 1983
Lubricating oils
The company produces automotive and industrial lubricants and has supplied products to other brands in Asia. Lubricant production began with oil made for Thailand’s Petroleum Authority in 1983 and later expanded through blending and research into ethanol-related engine applications.
Industrial gases · 1966
Industrial gases
Through Southern Oxygen, the group produces gases for industrial and medical applications, including oxygen, argon, nitrous oxide and nitrogen. The gases are filled into cylinders for users in southern Thailand and related markets.
Industrial services · 1995
Chemical storage and tank-farm services
Siam Chemicals provides storage infrastructure for fuels, solvents and drummed liquid goods. Its logistics operations include a riverside port, warehouses and tank-farm facilities, with liquid products handled for onward land transportation.
Brand decisions
2013
Revival of the oil businessStrategyBackground
Siam Chemicals was broadening its activities in petroleum products and lubricant manufacturing.
Action taken
The company revived its oil business and expanded its lubricant-making and supply activities.
Aftermath
The reference described production of about five million liters per month and supply to more than 60 brands in Asia, alongside a stated plan to double capacity.
Monthly lubricant production. Approximately 5 million liters (2013)
2012
Industrialization of fuel and lubricant researchStrategyBackground
The group had research programs involving ethanol fuel, ethanol-engine lubricants and engine modifications.
Action taken
Research results were applied to the design, installation and operation of industrial blending units for fuel and lubricating oils.
Aftermath
The initiative extended the group’s technical activities from laboratory research into commercial-scale formulation and blending operations.
2010
Creation of the S-Chem GroupStrategyBackground
Siam Chemicals had expanded beyond basic chemicals into lubricants, storage, laboratory work, aviation and petroleum-related activities.
Action taken
The company established the S-Chem Group as an umbrella for affiliated businesses operating with common core management.
Aftermath
The group structure brought Siam Fine Chemicals, SFS Aviation, Southern Oxygen, ChiraTech Maxima Research Group and Phoenix Petroleum Business Development into the described corporate network.
Recent events
- 2013
Oil and lubricant business revival[1]
Product generation
The company revived its oil business and was described as producing about five million liters of lubricants per month for more than 60 brands in Asia.
- 2010
S-Chem Group is established[1]
M&A
Siam Chemicals organized a group of affiliated companies operating under common core management across chemicals, aviation, industrial gases, research and petroleum-related activities.
- 1994
Siam Chemicals becomes a public company[1]
Leadership change · Other
The company was registered as a public company with registered capital of 200 million baht under the management of Chira Ratanarat.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/siam-chemicals · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled