Our History
Haycarb had been marketing its coconut shell activated carbon products directly to European customers from its inception in 1973; however, in 1986 it was decided to launch subsidiaries in the UK and Australia to accelerate developments in the market. Local carbon experts Don Tyreman and Malcolm Edwards were recruited and soon had the blending and impregnation plant set up in Bristol. Eurocarb thrived from the start, offering competitive high quality products.
Eurocarb first achieved ISO 9001 certification in 1993 and has maintained this ever since. Growth was steady, and in recent years the warehouse space has been tripled and technical capabilities have been enhanced to keep up with demand. We continue to grow rapidly and make significant investments in capability. In 2020/2021, Eurocarb’s turnover exceeded £12 million. Eurocarb’s parent Haycarb is in turn one of the larger entities within the Hayleys group; one of the biggest multinationals in Sri Lanka and a distinguished blue chip conglomerate known throughout Asia.
Haycarb PLC, formed in 1973, is Eurocarb's parent company. Haycarb is a leading global player of Coconut Shell Activated Carbon. From a single kiln factory over 40 years ago the company has grown its production capability to 6 manufacturing plants across 3 countries with an annual production capacity in excess of 50,000 tonnes. In addition to holding ISO 9001 & 14001 certification the company is also renowned throughout the industry as a true pioneer of sustainable manufacturing processes, including the unique Recogen carbon-neutral industrial charcoaling operation. With a focus on innovation, technical excellence and long-term business relationships, Haycarb’s turnover exceeded $125 million in 2020/2021.
The foundation of the Hayleys Group can be traced back to 1878 when Charles P Hayley disembarked from the Percy Douglas, a 781-tonne clipper ship onto the shores of Galle, Sri Lanka. Chas Hayley founded the forerunner of Hayleys, Chas P. Hayley, in 1878, to trade in coconut fibres. In 1909, he joined with W. W. Kenny to acquire Thurburn Stores, on Deans Road.
Hayley and Kenny and Chas P. Hayley were made Private Limited Companies in 1935 and 1943, respectively. In 1954 they went public as a joint entity. Hayleys Ltd continued to diversify into a portfolio that includes activated carbon, rubber gloves, textiles, fibre based products, tea and rubber plantations, transportation and logistics services, energy production, consumer products and other investments and services. Hayleys plc now accounts for almost 2.5% of Sri Lanka’s export revenues.
In 2010, Hayleys Group was once again named Sri Lanka’s Best Corporate Citizen by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, the Hayleys Group was ranked amongst the top three most respected business entities in Sri Lanka and placed first for Nation-Mindedness in Lanka Monthly Digest’s ‘Most Respected Entities in Sri Lanka’ survey. In 2020/2021, Group turnover reached $1.2 billion.