US$15 Million Chinese Pine Tree Resin Factory Set To Boost Mutasa Economy By June
In a significant development for Zimbabwe’s forestry and manufacturing sectors, a US$15 million pine tree resin factory built by the Chinese company Komo United Resins Pvt (Ltd) is expected to open by the end of June in Toronto, Mutasa District. This ambitious project marks the revival of a traditional industry that was last active in Zimbabwe before independence and promises substantial economic and social benefits for the Eastern Highlands region.
The factory will leverage the region’s vast pine timber plantations to produce high-value resin products, including rosin and turpentine—critical raw materials used in adhesives, sealants, paints, printing inks and rubber products. Additionally, by-products such as pitch for waterproofing, pine tar for wood preservation, medicinal salves, fragrance components and sustainable biodegradable composites will also be produced, creating a diversified product portfolio that enhances value addition.
**Economic growth and job creation**
Komo United Resins aims to initially process around 20,000 tonnes of pine resin annually, with plans to expand progressively to 60,000 tonnes per year. This expansion is expected to generate up to 2,500 jobs, offering both full-time and contract positions spanning the factory floor and resin collection activities in plantations. The job creation will profoundly improve livelihoods in Mutasa District, providing opportunities especially for youth and women, who are a key focus under Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The plant’s director, Mr Shulin Zhao, highlighted that operations begin by carefully ‘‘tapping’’ pine trees, a sustainable method of extracting resin without severely harming the tree. Holes drilled into the tree trunks cause sap to flow, which the trees then seal with resin. The excess resin is collected days later, ensuring forest conservation remains a priority.
**Export prospects and global market integration**
Mr Zhao confirmed the factory will export rosin and turpentine products mainly to European markets, where demand for these eco-friendly, sustainable materials is robust. “Our technology and experience allow us to add more value locally than ever before seen in Africa,” he stated, emphasising the project’s pioneering nature on the continent. By entering global supply chains, Zimbabwe positions itself as a competitive player in resin-based industries, which could attract further foreign investment.
**Government support and alignment with Vision 2030**
The project aligns closely with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 initiative, which prioritises value addition to natural resources as a pathway to middle-income status. Addressing the media during a tour of Mutare’s 100 Days Cycle projects, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere stressed the importance of such developments in strengthening the country’s economy. He praised the Second Republic government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and supporting business environments to facilitate investments like Komo United Resins.
Advocate Misheck Mugadza, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, reaffirmed that Manicaland, known as the “timber province,” will benefit immensely from value addition to timber products. “We will not just earn from selling raw timber but also enhance earnings and employment through resin production,” he said.
**Zimbabwean case study: Mutasa farmer engagement and local impact**
Local communities in Mutasa District stand to gain from this initiative. For example, Mr Tendai Moyo, a small-scale pine grower near Toronto, Zimbabwe, expressed optimism about the factory’s potential. “Previously, our pine trees were only sold as logs, but now, with this factory nearby, we can be involved in tapping resin which adds value and creates new income streams for farmers like myself,” he explained.
The factory’s inception also coincides with government efforts to empower women and youth in rural areas by facilitating their participation in forestry value chains through training and employment. This supports NDS1’s emphasis on inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
**FFA explainer box: What is pine tree resin?**
Pine tree resin is a sticky, viscous fluid produced by pine trees as a natural defence mechanism to seal wounds and repel insects. It is harvested by drilling small holes in the tree trunk—a process called tapping—that stimulates the flow of resin. Once collected, the resin is distilled into rosin (solid) and turpentine (liquid), both widely used in industrial applications.
**Conclusion: A promising path for Zimbabwe’s forestry sector**
The launch of the Komo United Resins factory is more than just an industrial achievement; it represents a beacon of economic diversification, rural development, and export-led growth for Zimbabwe. By transforming raw pine resin into high-value products, the project underscores the vast opportunities presented by Zimbabwe’s natural resource wealth.
As the factory moves towards production readiness, the collaborative support from the Zimbabwean government and foreign investors exemplifies how partnerships can stimulate growth and employment in line with NDS1 priorities. The reverberations of this project will be felt across the local communities of Mutasa District, with lasting benefits for women, youth, and smallholder farmers.
Stakeholders remain optimistic that this initiative will open new avenues for sustainable industrialisation, contribute to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda, and place the country firmly on the global resin market map.
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