SECUNDA – Ms Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs, inaugurated the 200-million euro investment by Air Liquide’s Sasol plant that produces 5 000 tons of oxygen a day on Monday, 26 March at Graceland.
She congratulated Sasol and Air Liquide for establishing the world’s largest oxygen production plant.
“This event marks one of the great strides in the country’s ongoing efforts to encourage both local and international investments in order to grow the economy and will improve the lives of our people.
“This Greenfield investment will surely make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner environment by consuming less electricity and reducing carbon emissions.
“I am informed that the Air Liquide proprietary technologies, which include several firsts of their kind of innovations in the air compression process, will allow for an annual electricity consumption reduction of more than 20%.
“This is great for us as a department.”
The start-up of the air separation unit represented a new milestone in the partnership between Air Liquide and Sasol which brings to 17 the number of ASU’s delivered by Air Liquide over the last 40 years, with a total oxygen production capacity greater than 45 000 tonnes per day.
It is also the first time ever in Secunda that Sasol has chosen to outsource an oxygen supply contract, thus recognising Air Liquide’s expertise in the field of oxygen production and underscoring the importance of this long-term relationship.
Mr François Jackow, member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee supervising Middle East and Africa, said: “We are proud to be consolidating a strategic partnership built on trust and long-term commitment with Sasol.
“This project illustrates Air Liquide’s capability to manage very large innovative projects.
“This new unit sees, for the first time, Sasol outsourcing its oxygen needs at its Secunda site, confirming our leadership in oxygen production technology as well as our commitment to contribute to South Africa’s economic and social development.”
Mr Bernard Klingenberg, Sasol’s Executive Vice President of Operations, said: “The successful start-up of this world class ASU unit cements Sasol’s long-standing strategic partnership with Air Liquide, bringing first rate oxygen supply expertise and long-term reliability to our Secunda operations.
“Furthermore, this important milestone ensures that our integrated Southern African value chain provides a robust platform for Sasol’s long-term growth and sustained contributions to the country’s economy.”
Ms Refilwe Mtshweni, Premier of Mpumalanga, praised Sasol for its contribution to the community and said the company is doing much to improve the lives of locals.
