Sasol has Signed a Joint Development Agreement with Anglo American and De Beers

Assessing Viability of Renewable Diesel Feedstock

The partnership will focus on cultivating Moringa and Solaris crops on more than 20 hectares of land provided by De Beers across Blouberg, Marble Hall, and Voorspoed (a closed mine site). These crops will serve as the primary feedstock for renewable diesel production, helping to create a sustainable and local supply chain.

Sarushen Pillay, Sasol’s Executive Vice President for Business Building, Strategy, and Technology, highlighted the importance of the project:

“Renewable diesel meets the technical standards of conventional diesel and our customers can use it as a ‘drop-in’ fuel in their equipment and machinery to meet their greenhouse gas reduction commitments. Partnering with Anglo American, we’re investigating the development of a local and cost-effective supply chain for sustainable feedstock, utilising vegetable oil.”

Leveraging Sasol’s Infrastructure for Cost-Effective Production

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Sasol’s existing infrastructure enables the conversion of vegetable oil into renewable diesel faster and at lower costs than greenfield projects, providing a unique advantage in developing alternative fuels.

South Africa currently lacks commercial-scale renewable diesel production, and this pilot project could play a crucial role in developing alternative fuel solutions to meet the growing demand for sustainable energy.

This collaboration aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions while offering practical solutions for heavy industries like mining, which rely on diesel-powered machinery and transport. If successful, this initiative could pave the way for large-scale renewable diesel production in South Africa, supporting both energy security and climate goals.