JSE-listed chemicals group AECI increased its revenue by 8% year-on-year to R26.05-billion in 2021 and declared a total ordinary dividend of R6.85 a share – up 20% year-on-year. The company declared a final ordinary cash dividend of R5.05, 7% higher than the R4.70 in 2020. AECI's mining and chemicals businesses were the units most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, but recovered well in 2021, with AECI Mining benefiting as global mining activity returned to more normalised levels. AECI Chemicals further benefited from the strategic realignment process completed in 2020, which delivered in line with expectations. The business was further boosted by a level of overall improvement in South Africa's manufacturing, infrastructure and general industrial sectors, albeit from a low base. Of group revenue, 41% was generated outside of South Africa, down from 44% in 2020; with the stronger average rand exchange rate against these major currencies having had an impact.