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Sasol

Sasol is a listed South African energy and chemicals group built from a state-backed synthetic-fuels project established in 1950.

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Sasol is an integrated energy and chemicals company with South African operations that include gas transmission and sales. The company says it markets and distributes Mozambique-produced natural gas as well as methane-rich gas produced at Secunda. [1]

Sasol was established on 26 September 1950 as a government-sponsored public company led by Etienne Rousseau. [3]

History

Mozambique gas became a major input into Sasol’s South African gas business, transported south through ROMPCO’s pipeline and into Sasol’s downstream network. As production in southern Mozambique declines, Sasol has been assessing alternatives, including a temporary Secunda methane-rich gas bridge and longer-term LNG supply. [1][2]

The first Sasolburg plant produced petrol in August 1955. Secunda later added the Sasol Two and Sasol Three production base. [3][4]

Sasol listed on the JSE in October 1979. Its 2026 statements do not show any shareholder with a majority holding. [5][6]

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Sasol?

Sasol describes Etienne Rousseau as its father and first employee. He was the founding managing director. [3]

Who owns Sasol?

Sasol is publicly traded. Its 2026 statements list major institutional holdings but no shareholder with more than half of issued securities. [6]

Is Sasol state owned?

Sasol began as a government-sponsored public company and listed in 1979. Government-related institutions retain significant minority beneficial holdings. [3][5][6]

Key milestones

  1. Announced technical feasibility for a proposed methane-rich gas bridge from July 2028 to June 2030, subject to customer and infrastructure arrangements. [2]

  2. Established as a government-sponsored public company. [3]

  3. Produced its first petrol at Sasolburg. [3]

  4. Listed on the JSE. [5][6]

  5. Completed Sasol Two at Secunda. [3][4]

Founded / co-founded by

  • Etienne Rousseau — South African chemical engineer, first Sasol employee and founding managing director who led the company’s initial industrial development.

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Anglovaal — Historical South African mining and industrial group that developed the oil-from-coal licence proposal which preceded Sasol.
  • Industrial Development Corporation — South African national development finance institution established in 1940 and wholly owned by the national government.
  • Sasolburg Operations — Sasol’s first major production base, built during the 1950s and later redirected towards higher-value chemicals.
  • Secunda Operations — Sasol’s integrated Mpumalanga production hub for synthetic fuels, chemicals and pipeline gas, developed through the Sasol Two and Sasol Three projects.

Sources

  1. Sasol, Energy business. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-25. ↩
  2. Sasol, Methane-rich gas supply solution beyond 2028, 2025-11-06. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-25. ↩
  3. Sasol, Celebrating our heritage. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-24. ↩
  4. Sasol, Historical milestones. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-24. ↩
  5. Sasol, JSE listing. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-24. ↩
  6. Sasol, Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2026, 2026-09-01. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-24. ↩