South Africa's Sasol Anticipates Decision on Sulphur Dioxide Emissions Proposal

Sasol, the South African petrochemicals giant, is eagerly anticipating government approval for its proposed alternative minimum emission standards related to sulphur dioxide (SO2).

This development follows years of negotiations between Sasol and the South African government, dating back to 2015 when Sasol's Secunda operations were granted a decade-long deferment from adhering to new plant standards concerning sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from boilers in the steam plants.

As the world's leading producer of liquid fuels and chemicals derived from coal, Sasol has often been under scrutiny and faced criticism from activists and environmentalists for what they perceive as insufficient efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). In its 2021 sustainability report, Sasol acknowledged that it held the unfortunate title of being the largest single GHG point-source emitter.

Sulphur dioxide is a notorious pollutant known to have adverse impacts on both human health and the environment.

Sasol has set ambitious environmental targets, including a commitment to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030, with a further goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the reduction of SO2 emissions has posed a formidable challenge for the company.

Nonetheless, Grobler expressed confidence in Sasol's proposed solution, asserting that it surpasses the government's outlined plan, and therefore, Sasol is hopeful that the appeal process will yield a favorable outcome. He believes that their solution is superior in addressing the issue at hand.

Sasol's current status entails awaiting a decision from a panel of technical experts appointed by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. The company relayed this information to investors during a site visit to its flagship operations located near Johannesburg.

Simon Baloyi, the Executive Vice President of Energy Operations and Technology at Sasol, shed light on the timeline, stating, "The forum has a two-month window to address the matter. Consequently, the minister should receive a response from the forum before the conclusion of this year."

Sasol's optimism regarding the government's approval of its proposed alternative emission standards for sulphur dioxide marks a significant development in the company's ongoing efforts to address environmental concerns. Sasol's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and adhering to more stringent emissions standards reflects the growing global emphasis on sustainability and environmental responsibility. As Sasol awaits the verdict from the panel of technical experts, the outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications not only for the company but also for the broader environmental discourse in South Africa.