Sasol to raise ammonia imports to 180,000T
Date: 05-Aug-02
Country: SOUTH AFRICA
Sasol produces 630,000 tonnes of ammonia annually through its coal-to-oil and chemicals process and said the imports would supplement production. Ammonia is a chemical compound used in the manufacture of agricultural fertilizers and explosives.
"This import represents 20 percent of the South African market and is due to favourable agricultural conditions which have increased local demand for fertilisers," the group said.
To facilitate the additional imports, the group had bought 40 specialised ammonia rail tank cars.
Sasol said total imports of 180,000 tonnes would cost 270 million rand ($26.47 million), adding it was investigating ways to expand hydrogen production capacity at its plants in Sasolburg.
The owners of the ammonia import terminal at Richard's Bay, including Sasol, were also increasing their loading capacity by a third.
