Sasol Limited
(Incorporated in South Africa)
(Registration number: 1979/003231/06)
ISIN Code: ZAE000006896
Share Code: SOL
NYSE Code: SSL
("Sasol")
Sasol considering the disposal of its Olefins and Surfactants (O&S)
business excluding its co-monomers activities in South Africa
Sasol announced today that it is considering the disposal of its Olefins
and Surfactants (O&S) business excluding its co-monomers activities in
South Africa.
Sasol acquired Condea in March 2001 from German-based RWE Dea for €1,3
billion. Most of this business was subsequently hosted in Sasol O&S with
production facilities mainly in the USA, Europe and South Africa. A
smaller part of the business was hosted in Sasol Solvents which, together
with the South African-based solvents activities, forms a global solvents
business. The entire solvents business is being retained by Sasol.
“Since the acquisition, substantial success has been achieved in reducing
costs and improving the productivity at Sasol O&S. Pleasing progress has
also been made in strengthening relationships with key customers,” says
Sasol deputy chief executive Trevor Munday.
“In 2003, Sasol determined that it would continue to grow its chemical
businesses conditional upon projects leveraging its technology or
securing integrated and highly cost-competitive feedstock positions. The
O&S business is only partially integrated upstream into feedstocks and
has not adequately provided the integration benefits which Sasol
requires,” says Munday.
Sasol has embarked on an exciting international commercialisation
programme of its leading gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels technology and
possibly also at a later stage its coal-to-liquid (CTL) technology. “This
is expected to require significant funding. The GTL and CTL ventures will
support or enhance traditionally high margins achieved by Sasol as a
consequence of its technology and operating prowess,” says Sasol chief
executive Pat Davies.
“To optimally leverage both its talented people and financial resources
in the next few years, Sasol wishes to establish the saleability of Sasol
O&S at fair value,” says Davies. “During this process, Sasol will remain
committed to the strategic and operational goals of Sasol O&S and will
continue to provide the business with the support necessary to uphold its
effectiveness and success,” he says.
Deutsche Bank has been appointed to assist Sasol in procuring offers,
assessing the feasibility and attractiveness thereof and executing any
potential transaction.
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