5 September 2008
Sasol to double production of hard waxes in South Africa
Sasol has approved R558 million for its Sasol Wax operation to complete basic engineering for a project to double its production of hard wax in two phases and for ordering long-lead items for the first phase of this expansion.
Sasol Wax is the world’s leading producer and marketer of synthetic and petroleum derived waxes, with production facilities in South Africa, North America, and Europe. The synthetic waxes, which are manufactured via Sasol’s advanced proprietary technology in South Africa, are used in a wide variety of specialised applications including hot-melt adhesives, polymers, inks and high performance bitumen modifiers.
“Once fully approved, the project will be implemented in phases in line with the projected growth in key markets for hard wax. We are pre-ordering equipment such as the synthesis reactor that has very long delivery times”, says the MD of Sasol Wax, Johan du Preez. “This will ensure the fastest possible implementation time of the first phase of this project.”
Construction of the first phase is expected to be completed in 2011. The second phase is expected to be in full operation in 2013. The project will also result in increased production of medium waxes, mostly used for the candle industry in Southern Africa, as well as liquid paraffins used in a variety of industrial applications. Total production of all products from the Sasolburg site near Johannesburg will increase by over 50%.
“This investment will be in line with Sasol’s strategy to leverage our advanced proprietary technology,” says Sasol GM for the chemical cluster Reiner Groh. “It also fits with our longer term plans to significantly grow the chemicals businesses of the Sasol Group.”
Ends
last updated: 10 Sep 2008
Sasol is an integrated oil and gas company with substantial chemical interests. Based in South Africa and operating worldwide, Sasol is listed on the NYSE and JSE stock exchanges. We are the leading provider of liquid fuels in South Africa and a major international producer of chemicals. Sasol uses proprietary Fischer-Tropsch technologies for the commercial production of synthetic fuels and chemicals from low-grade coal and natural gas. We manufacture more than 200 fuel and chemical products that are sold worldwide. In South Africa we also operate coal mines to provide feedstock for our synthetic fuels plants. Sasol operates the only inland crude oil refinery in South Africa. The group produces crude oil in offshore Gabon, supplies Mozambican natural gas to end-user customers and petrochemical plants in South Africa, and with partners involved in gas-to-liquids fuel joint ventures in Qatar and Nigeria. Internet address: http://www.sasol.com
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