LOADING

Type to search

Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers Partner to Pilot Renewable Diesel Feedstock Production in South Africa

Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers Partner to Pilot Renewable Diesel Feedstock Production in South Africa

Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers Partner to Pilot Renewable Diesel Feedstock Production in South Africa
Listen to this story:
  • Strategic Collaboration: Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to assess the feasibility of renewable diesel feedstock production in South Africa.
  • Sustainability Drive: The initiative supports carbon neutrality goals, leveraging Sasol’s infrastructure to fast-track renewable diesel production.
  • Industry Implications: Renewable diesel offers a “drop-in” solution for existing machinery, meeting corporate decarbonization targets without significant operational changes.

Sasol, Anglo American, and De Beers have entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to pilot the production of feedstock for renewable diesel. Signed on February 4, 2025, during the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, this initiative aims to establish a local value chain for renewable fuels in South Africa.

Why It Matters:

The project will test the viability of using Solaris and Moringa plantations to produce vegetable oil feedstock. Sasol’s existing infrastructure allows for quicker renewable diesel production at lower costs compared to greenfield projects.

Related Article: Sasol Launches Venture Capital Fund to Advance Decarbonization Ambitions

Expert Insights:

Dr. Sarushen Pillay, EVP of Sasol’s Business Building, Strategy and Technology: “Renewable diesel is transformative. It meets the technical standards of conventional diesel while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our customers can therefore use it as a ‘drop-in’ fuel in their existing equipment and machinery to meet their greenhouse gas reduction commitments.”

Dr. Sarushen Pillay, EVP of Sasol’s Business Building, Strategy and Technology

Alison Atkinson, Projects and Development Director, Anglo American: “This is an important initiative to strengthen our commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. It is an innovation that contributes to our sustainability journey as a business and our quest to maintain a healthy environment by creating carbon-neutral operations.”

Alison Atkinson, Projects and Development Director, Anglo American

The Bigger Picture:

De Beers, leveraging its pre-feasibility studies, is providing over 20 hectares of land for the trial feedstock plantations in Blouberg, Messina, Marble Hall (Limpopo), and Voorspoed mine closure site (Free State).

While renewable diesel production in South Africa is not yet commercial, market engagements indicate growing demand driven by corporate decarbonization commitments.

Follow ESG News on LinkedIn

Topics

Related Articles