Sasol Advances Ethane Cracker and Downstream Derivatives Project with Purchase of Long-Lead Equipment

JOHANNESBURG and LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Sasol today announced its placing of a purchase order for the main ethylene compressor trains, a critical long-lead item for the world-scale ethane cracker, from MHI Compressor International Corporation.

"The placement of this order has secured vital manufacturing capacity of this specialty equipment before the expected heating of the market. Sasol selected MHI Compressor International Corporation because of its reputation as a leading manufacturer and one of the few that have the capability to manufacture equipment of this size and nature," said Johan du Preez, Sasol Executive Vice President: US Mega Projects.

On 3 December 2012, Sasol announced the commencement of the front-end engineering and design phase for a world-scale ethane cracker with downstream derivatives, at its Lake Charles site in southwest Louisiana. Sasol also recently selected the UNIPOL ™ Polyethylene Process of Univation Technologies, LLC and the tubular process technology from ExxonMobil Chemical Technology Licensing LLC for the new linear low density polyethylene and low density polyethylene plants in Louisiana, respectively.

"This forms part of Sasol's strategy of building globally competitive downstream facilities and adding value to the already low cost ethylene production opportunity in North America," said Andre de Ruyter, Sasol's Senior Group Executive for Global Chemicals and North American Operations.

About Sasol:

Committed to excellence in all we do, Sasol is an international integrated energy and chemical company that leverages the talent and expertise of our more than 34 000 people working in 38 countries. We develop and commercialise technologies, and build and operate world-scale facilities, to produce a range of product streams, including liquid fuels, chemicals and electricity.

While continuing to support our home-base of South Africa, Sasol is expanding internationally based on a unique value proposition, which links our diverse businesses into an integrated value chain supported by top-class functions.

About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation (MCO)

MCO is the market leader in large scale centrifugal compression and steam turbine equipment in the downstream petrochemical market.  Based in Hiroshima, Japan, MCO's products are recognized as Best in Class, providing their customers with innovative and highly efficient designs that offers strategic advantages in the industry.  MHI Compressor International Corporation (MCO-I) is the newly established, Houston, Texas based Center for Engineering and Marketing Excellence within MCO, providing the industry with direct sales, marketing and engineering resources to support of the shale-gas driven growth in the Petrochemicals market.

SOURCE: Sasol

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