Rhino Plastics

What Rhino Plastics does

Rhino Plastics is a South African privately held company specializing in the importation and distribution of specialized plastic films and sheets, with complementary local manufacturing of LDPE irrigation pipe that has been ongoing for over 48 years. The company operates from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and serves four primary industry verticals: agriculture (greenhouse films, silage films, bale wrap, mulch films, soft fruit protection, irrigation pipe), insulation (reflective foil insulation and container liners), construction (construction plastics, damp proof courses, weathering membranes), and specialty packaging (corrosion protection, desiccants, container liners). Its product portfolio combines locally manufactured LDPE pipe with exclusively imported specialized products from international manufacturers including Plastika Kritis (Greece), Daios Plastics (Greece), Agrotem (Greece), ULMA Agrícola (Spain), Oerlemans Plastics (Netherlands), and INTERCEPT Technology (originally developed from Statue of Liberty restoration). The company holds sole importer status for several product lines across South Africa and the African continent.

The business model centers on direct sales with quote-based pricing, operating through a personal-service B2B distribution model rather than digital e-commerce. Rhino Plastics maintains 11-50 employees and serves enterprise customers across diverse sectors including food and beverage (Mondelez/Cadbury's), pharmaceutical (Novartis), retail, logistics, and rail infrastructure, alongside a long-tail base of agricultural and construction buyers. Geographic reach extends throughout South Africa and into Southern, Central, and West Africa via partnerships such as the GreenCon greenhouse collaboration. Recent product development has emphasized sustainability (biodegradable mulch films, bio-based cucumber shrink films, probiotic-based agricultural solutions via the BioPro division) and regulatory compliance positioning ahead of South African insulation standards (SANS 10400-T:2024) effective January 2025.

Underlying technology relies on materials science partnerships rather than proprietary in-house R&D, leveraging internationally patented innovations including 7-layer co-extrusion technology, self-ventilation greenhouse films, reactive barrier polymer matrices for corrosion protection, and multi-layer reflective foil constructions achieving up to 97% radiant heat reflection. The company's competitive positioning rests on exclusive territorial import rights and 48+ years of operational continuity rather than technology ownership or scale advantages.

Name

Rhino Plastics

Legal name

Rhino Plastics

Website

https://rhinoplastics.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rhino Plastics is a South African importer and distributor of specialized plastic films and sheets, serving agricultural, insulation, construction, and packaging industries across South Africa and the African continent as sole importer for multiple international brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Shepstone

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Plastic Film and Sheet Products: Sale of specialized imported and locally produced plastic products including agricultural films (silage, greenhouse, mulch, bale wrap), insulation materials (reflective foil), construction plastics, and specialty packaging (corrosion protection, desiccants, container liners). Products sold directly to customers across multiple industries.
2. LDPE Irrigation Pipe Manufacturing: Manufacturing and sale of LDPE irrigation pipe, with over 48 years of manufacturing experience. Products supplied throughout South Africa.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Rhino Plastics is a South African importer, manufacturer, and distributor of specialized plastic films, sheets, and structures serving the agricultural, insulation, construction, and packaging industries across South Africa and the African continent. Its offerings span multi-layer silage and bale wrap films, greenhouse films and tunnel structures, LDPE irrigation pipe, reflective foil insulation, construction plastics/DPCs, weathering membranes, and specialty packaging products such as INTERCEPT corrosion-protection technology and desiccants.

Product overview

Rhino Plastics is a South African supplier of specialized imported and locally produced plastic products serving the agricultural, insulation, construction, and packaging industries across South Africa and the African continent. The product portfolio includes: (1) Agricultural films — silage films (Special Multi-Layer Silage Films, Hitec Grain & Silage Bags), bale wrapping products (Bale Wrap Film, Bale Net Wrap), greenhouse solutions (Greenhouse Film, Vento Tunnel & Greenhouse Film, Agrotem greenhouses, Ulma Greenhouse Structures), crop protection (Safe-D Soft Fruit Protection, Mulch Films, Shading Agents), irrigation (LDPE Irrigation Pipe), and specialty films (Cucumber Shrink Film, BioPro probiotic products); (2) Insulation — Envirotuff Roofing Insulation and Envirotuff Container Liners reflecting up to 97% radiant heat; (3) Construction — Construction Plastics & DPC's and ACC Weathering Membrane for waterproofing; (4) Packaging — Intercept Technology corrosion protection, Ströbel Topdry desiccants, and general Packaging Sheeting And Bags. The company distributes products throughout South Africa and Africa, focusing on reliable, high-quality products with exceptional supply and service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Special Multi-Layer Silage Films

Quantifiable outcome

• Vento tunnel yields 12% more crop volume vs conventional film in blackberry trial (269.28kg vs 240.72kg over 5 harvests)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and internal.

• GreenConcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZimbabwe-based greenhouse supplier operating across Africa since 1990. Partnered with Rhino Plastics to deliver turnkey greenhouse projects across Southern, Central, and West Africa. GreenCon works alongside South African company Rhino Plastics to implement self-ventilating technologies including Vento film from Greek manufacturer Daios.
• ULMA AgrícolacoreTechnology or IntegrationSpanish greenhouse manufacturer with over 35 years experience. Rhino Plastics represents ULMA Agrícola in South Africa, offering comprehensive greenhouse solutions for agricultural producers from project start to finish.
• AgrotemcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGreek greenhouse structure manufacturer. Rhino Plastics is the sole importer of Agrotem structures into South Africa. Products include Multi-Tunnels, Hybrid Model, and Marissa Greenhouse 9.6 designed for durability in extreme climates.
• Plastika KritiscoreTechnology or IntegrationGreek manufacturer and one of the largest producers of specialized agricultural plastics worldwide. Established 1970, operates 8 plants in 7 countries. Rhino Plastics is sole importer and supplier of Plastika Kritis greenhouse films in South Africa and most African countries. Pioneer in 7-layer technology for wide agricultural films.
• Daios PlasticscoreTechnology or IntegrationGreek manufacturer of Vento Films and Safe-D soft fruit protection. Holds 53 international patents. Products include next-generation self-ventilation greenhouse films and retractable protective covers for soft fruit.
• KARATZISmajorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of KARATZIS Bale Netwrap. State-of-the-art raw materials and unique manufacturing process for trouble-free baling. Products provide full, consistent and uniform bale coverage.
• Oerlemans PlasticsmajorTechnology or IntegrationDutch manufacturer of world's best cucumber shrink film. Also produces biodegradable mulch films (BI-OPL). Products include fossil-based recyclable, bio-based, and biodegradable PLA compostable packaging options.
• Ströbel TopdrymajorTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of Ströbel Topdry desiccants with dust-proof shell filled with natural bentonite. Each unit absorbs approximately 6 grams of water vapor at 40% relative humidity. Products protect automotive, steel, drugs, food and other products against corrosion and mould.
• EnvirotuffcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerReflective foil insulation products. Rhino Plastics is the sole importer of Envirotuff reflective foil insulations in South Africa and the African continent. Products protect residential, commercial and industrial buildings from heat gains and heat losses.
• VfixmajorTechnology or IntegrationAnti-corrosion coating technology used in ACC Weathering Membrane products. 6-layer coating structure with reflective foil, film, and reinforced non-woven bonded to high-adhesive butyl.
• BioPro (Rhino AgriVantage)internalStrategic or Co-development PartnerDivision of Rhino AgriVantage and product developer of non-toxic, fully biodegradable and sustainable probiotic based chemical alternatives. BioPro is a South African leader in probiotic solutions for human health, home & garden, agriculture, livestock health, industrial and aquaculture applications. Only manufacturer with registrations under Act 36 of 1947 for all product categories.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RKW Group: European producer of polyethylene and polypropylene films for agricultural, hygiene, and industrial markets. Directly comparable to Rhino's plastic film/sheet product portfolio (silage, mulch, greenhouse films) at the manufacturer level.
• Trioworld: European manufacturer of polyethylene films for silage, agricultural, and industrial packaging applications. A direct competitor to the Plastika Kritis, KARATZIS, and Daios product lines Rhino distributes, especially in bale wrap and silage film.

Broad incumbents

• Mpact: JSE-listed South African plastics and paper packaging group with a broad plastics division (films, bins, containers). Competes with Rhino in packaging and construction plastic products and is a much larger, listed incumbent operating across Southern Africa.
• Berry Global: Global plastic packaging manufacturer with a significant agricultural and industrial films division. While much larger and broader, it competes with Rhino's imported portfolio in agricultural films, packaging sheeting, and specialty films.
• Sealed Air: Global packaging company with protective packaging, food packaging, and specialty films. Operates adjacent to Rhino's specialty packaging (corrosion protection, desiccants, container liners) and Intercept Technology offering.
• Coveris: European flexible packaging manufacturer producing films, sheets, and specialty packaging for agricultural and industrial customers. Competitor in packaging sheeting and converted films sold into similar end markets as Rhino.

Regional players

• Balcan Plastics: Canadian manufacturer of agricultural stretch films, silage bags, and greenhouse films. Comparable product mix to Rhino's agricultural films business (silage, bale wrap, greenhouse covers) and a relevant benchmark for international agricultural film specialists.
• Silafrica: Kenya-based plastic packaging and films manufacturer serving Eastern and Southern Africa across agriculture, FMCG, and industrial segments. Operates in the same regional agricultural and packaging market as Rhino Plastics and is a direct head-to-head competitor on coextruded films and packaging sheeting.
• Polyoak Packaging: South African plastic packaging manufacturer producing films, bags, and rigid containers for food, beverage, and industrial customers. Comparable in regional footprint and customer base (South African FMCG, agricultural, industrial) and a direct competitor in packaging sheeting and converted films.
• Ginegar Plastic Products: Israeli global manufacturer of greenhouse films, mulch films, and agricultural covers. Overlaps directly with Rhino's Plastika Kritis, Daios, and Mulch Films portfolio for protected agriculture applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rhinogroupza
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rhino-plastics

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rhino Plastics