Integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol continues to grow both locally and internationally.
Sasol recognises the increasing need for countries to secure supply of energy and chemicals. For many countries, specifically those with abundant hydrocarbons, in-country conversion of these resources into liquid fuels and chemicals goes a long way towards boosting national economies. In North America, in particular, Sasol is well positioned to capitalise on low feedstock prices to meet America’s demand for high-quality fuels and chemicals.
The Oryx gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant in Qatar has achieved a full-year average use rate, taking into account its planned statutory shutdown of 80% nameplate capacity.
Further, Sasol’s decision to proceed with the front-end engineering and design phase of an integrated, world-scale ethane cracker and downstream derivatives units and a 96 000 bl/d GTL facility in the US is the largest foreign direct investment in Louisiana in the state’s history. The phased projects will, together, create at least 1 200 permanent positions, 7 000 construction jobs at peak and thousands of indirect jobs both in Louisiana and in the rest of the US.
However, the company’s Europe- based businesses came under increased pressure as a result of reduced volumes owing to softer demand, coupled with continued high petrochemical feedstock prices.
Sasol also remains one of South Africa’s largest investors in capital projects, skills development and technological research and development and is one of the world’s largest producers of synthetic fuels.