OREANDA-NEWS. November 15, 2012. Sasol Technology today unveiled its new state-of-the-art Research and Technology (R&T) facility at the Sasol One Site in Sasolburg.  This marks another step in Sasol growing its technological lead through research and development, technology management and constant nnovation, which is at the centre of the company’s strategic growth agenda.

Construction of the R150 million, five storey building began in January 2010 and houses Sasol’s research and development, and fuels technology, which form part of Sasol’s R&T campus. It consists of world-class laboratories, sophisticated analytical equipment, pilot plants, offices and maintenance workshops. Sasol’s scientists and engineers continuously research and develop new technologies and efficiencies for the business, while improving existing technologies.

“This new research and technology facility is a significant milestone for our Sasolburg site, the world’s first coal-to-liquids plant. This facility is not only an investment in Sasol’s future but shows Sasol’s continued commitment to South Africa,” said Lean Strauss, Senior Group Executive for New Business Development and Technology, Sasol.

“This is more than a new facility on our Sasol One Site. Sasol is a global leader in gas-to-liquids (GTL) and coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology, and processes to produce liquid fuels and chemicals. This facility will enable us to be more competitive and further push boundaries when it comes to our ambitious global growth program,” said Flip De Wet, Managing Director, Sasol Technology.

The new facility will enhance Sasol’s R&T campus, which houses 14 laboratories, a number of piloting facilities, 150 PhD graduates, close to 100 engineers, over 200 scientists and over 100 chemists and technologists combined.

Sasol’s technology expertise includes coal and gas processing technologies, Fischer-Tropsch catalysis and engineering research, refinery and fuels technologies, chemical technologies, environmental sciences and engineering, and alternative energy and advanced analytical solutions.

Sasol’s current combined capital and operational expenditure for Sasol Technology’s R&D function is over R1 billion a year, of which over 90% is invested in South Africa. Sasol Technology is currently executing further capital projects having a value of more than R 450 million, to support its development activities.

The new development marks one of the many investments that Sasol continues to make in its home-base, South Africa. Sasol increased its capital expenditure in South Africa by 14% in the past financial year to R18.8 billion, which represents approximately 70% of total capital expenditure.

As part of the company’s on-going investment in South Africa, Sasol will invest R200 million, in the Metsimaholo Municipality and in the Govan Mbeki Municipality in Mpumalanga to enhance the sustainable development of the communities in both regions, over and above Sasol’s existing social investment.

Education remains a cornerstone of Sasol’s investment in South Africa and invests in initiatives that span the education spectrum, from basic education to post-graduate educations.

To nurture new researchers, Sasol also initiated a 10-year University Collaboration Programme in 2006. This R250 million investment will build the competency in science and chemical engineering and improve the research and teaching facilities across 11 universities. This will ensure a long-term supply of trained post-graduates for South Africa.