Zychem Technologies Australia is proud to introduce a new chapter in our company’s evolution. With owner, founder and managing director, Lionel Freedman, beginning a path to retirement, we are entering a new stage. Malcolm Black has joined Lionel as Director and is now our majority owner. This change in ownership will strengthen our commitment to the industries we serve—particularly poultry, agriculture, horticulture, food processing, and water treatment—while laying the foundation for future innovation, customer-focused growth, and expanded capability across the country.
Malcolm brings a unique blend of technical expertise, operational leadership, and a clear vision for sustainable, high-performance service delivery. His appointment signals not only continuity, but transformation—a bold step forward built on a strong foundation.
A Director with Deep Industry Roots
Malcolm’s career spans over three decades in the food and beverage industries, with hands-on experience across product development, production, engineering, and national sales leadership. With a Bachelor of Technology in Food Technology, Malcolm’s foundation is built on microbiology, engineering, and product design—expertise that continues to shape his approach to problem solving and innovation today.
His early work in product development and process improvement with Tip Top Ice Cream was followed by leadership roles across New Zealand’s largest bakery and frozen food operations, including Quality Bakers and NZ Freshcuts. In each case, he was entrusted with transforming performance, improving consistency, and delivering measurable outcomes.
“I’ve always focused on giving the customer what they need, when they need it—delivered at a consistent quality standard,” Malcolm says. “That mindset has driven every decision I’ve made.”
More recently, Malcolm served as National Sales Manager for Orica/Ixom, overseeing cleaning chemicals and systems for food processors across the poultry, red meat, and aquaculture sectors. It was during this time that he began working closely with Zychem, acting as the sole distributor of Zychem products in New Zealand, servicing major poultry producers such as Tegel, Ingham’s, Brinks, and Turks.
From Distributor to Owner: A Strategic Transition
Having seen firsthand the quality, versatility, and potential of the Zychem product range, Malcolm leapt at the opportunity to take the reins and invest directly in the company.
“When the opportunity to lead Zychem Technologies Australia came up, I grabbed it with both hands,” Malcolm says. “I had been working with Lionel and Zychem for years and saw enormous potential in the technology and the business model.”
That pivotal decision—to dedicate a focused resource in New Zealand and commit long-term—has already begun to pay dividends. Under Malcolm’s leadership, Zychem Technologies Australia is not only continuing its existing work but expanding into new sectors and broadening its range of solutions.
What Zychem Technologies Australia Offers
Zychem’s current offering spans a comprehensive portfolio of sanitation, odour control, and water treatment technologies, including:
- Zydox: Sodium chlorite precursor products for on-demand chlorine dioxide generation
- Diperox: A next-generation chlorine dioxide system for drinker water and open plant sanitising
- Exstinkt Pure H2O tablets: Effective chlorine dioxide tablets for easy dosing in water tanks and lines
- Quazyme: An enzyme based biofilm buster that is pH neutral
- Zydosan Plus AS & HS: Proven odour control and hard surface sanitising products, widely used in poultry sheds and processing environments
- DeOdor PRO Gas kits: Localised odour and mould treatment solutions
- Fully scalable equipment: From manual to automated dosing systems, gas generators, and monitoring equipment tailored to site-specific requirements
Malcolm’s technical experience ensures that Zychem Technologies Australia delivers more than just products—we deliver complete, tailored systems.
“Our role is to let our clients focus on their operations while we handle the complexity of their water treatment needs,” he explains. “That’s why we invest in operator training, application-specific equipment, and consistent service.”
A Focus on Relationships and Reliability
Malcolm knows that success in agriculture and food production is built on relationships. That’s why he places such strong emphasis on understanding the needs of each client—and then delivering a solution that’s practical, effective, and backed by responsive service.
“A strong supplier isn’t just about price. It’s about consistency, service, and support—especially when things get tough. COVID taught us that. And we only work with proven suppliers who share that commitment,” Malcolm says.
Continuity with New Energy
Malcolm’s appointment doesn’t represent a disruption—it’s a renewal. All existing services, support networks, and supplier arrangements remain unchanged. What clients can expect, however, is even an greater focus on responsiveness, innovation, and practical problem-solving.
From poultry processing and water disinfection to odour management and on-farm hygiene, Zychem Technologies Australia is now better positioned than ever to help clients meet regulatory, environmental, and performance targets.
Connect with Us
If you’re looking for practical solutions, reliable support, and a team that understands your industry inside and out, Zychem Technologies Australia is ready to help. Reach out to learn how we can support your goals—today and into the future.
