Commercial advantage
Consistent quality from verified factories, factory-direct pricing without distributor mark-ups, and payment terms that factories don’t typically offer directly in higher-risk markets.
FOR PAINT & ADHESIVE MANUFACTURERS: Buy direct from the factory. We handle everything else.
Better pricing, no hidden mark-ups and a straight line back to the source — without taking on the complexity of international sourcing alone.
The RETBA model
We are your sourcing partner.
We don't buy or resell anything. You buy directly from the factory, at factory-direct pricing, and the factory pays us.
You get all the benefit of direct purchasing with the support of a dedicated import team but without the overhead of building one.
What we bring
Risk-managed execution
We know which shipping lines work best on your route and check the key customs documents line by line. Factory verification and early warning on price changes, supply disruptions and shipping issues help protect your order.
Trust and continuity
The same people handle your account, answer your calls and help resolve problems quickly, from rerouting a shipment to arranging interim air freight.
The Reach Relationships And Expertise To Deliver.
We source resins, titanium dioxide, pigments, additives, fillers and silicones, from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and we work across African, Latin American and North American markets, backed by over 25 years of combined experience in the coatings industry.
We Add Value Without Adding Cost.
You pay nothing for our involvement, and once you factor in quality consistency, documentation support, payment terms and the time saved not chasing shipments yourself, our customers find the total cost stacks up well. And if there's a problem, we don't disappear. We help you fix it.
In their words
What paint and adhesive manufacturers tell us
“We buy titanium dioxide and resins through Retba at factory-direct pricing. Documentation arrives complete, lead times are predictable, and when a shipment needs attention they handle it — so our team spends its time on production, not chasing suppliers across time zones.”
“Quality consistency is everything for our adhesives. Every batch matches the specification we agreed and arrives with the certificates we need. Switching to Retba simplified our supply chain, removed the trader mark-ups we were paying, and lowered our landed cost per tonne.”
“Before Retba, sourcing meant emails to a dozen traders with prices that changed weekly. Now one contact who knows our products quotes straight from the factory and stands behind the delivery. It changed how we plan our raw material purchasing.”
“We worked with distributors for years and the mark-ups stayed hidden until we compared invoices. With Retba the price is the price, and when something goes wrong they don’t disappear — they help you fix it. That reliability keeps us coming back.”
Questions & answers
For paint & adhesive manufacturers
Are you a trader, distributor or broker?
No, we are none of those. We don’t buy, stock or resell anything. We operate as a sourcing partner for paint or adhesive manufacturers seeking high-quality raw materials from chemical producers. You buy directly from the factory and we handle the trade complexity in between.
If you don’t buy and resell, how do you make money?
The chemical producer pays us. There’s no cost for you.
Why do we need you?
The value we bring is to make sure that your relationship with the factory works: documentation, logistics, payment terms and factory verification, all handled by us for you. You get the support of a dedicated import team without the overhead of building one.
How do you verify a factory?
We prioritise on-site visits where possible, and we run know-your-customer and sanctions checks on every chemical producer and their owners or directors before we work with them.
What happens if a shipment is disrupted?
We coordinate alternatives, including interim air freight where needed, and escalate directly with the factory. The aim is to keep your production running.
Can you help with payment terms?
Yes. We can negotiate terms that chemical producers don’t typically offer directly, particularly in higher-risk markets, so you can manage cash flow without the strain of paying upfront.
Which markets do you cover?
African countries, primarily West and Central Africa, Latin American and North American markets.
What products do you source?
Resins, titanium dioxide, pigments, additives, fillers and silicones, sourced from Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Will your factories always give me the cheapest quote?
You pay nothing for our involvement, and once you factor in quality, consistency, documentation support, payment terms and the time saved not chasing shipments yourself, our customers find the cost very competitive.
What can’t you guarantee?
Customs delays, shipping volatility, political risk and currency fluctuations sit outside our control. We can’t promise these won’t happen. We can promise that when they do, we’ll be there to help you resolve any issue as quickly as possible.
How long have you been operating?
Our team brings more than 25 years of combined experience in the coatings industry.
Do you handle language and cultural barriers?
Yes. That’s part of what we manage on your behalf, alongside the trade documentation and logistics.
Start a conversation
Tell us what you need — we’ll take it from there.
Whether you’re looking to source or to sell, one conversation sets the direction.