Sasol Synfuel for Jet Aircraft Gets Nod

Business Day (Johannesburg

Posted to the web 10 April 2008

By Siseko Njobeni
Johannesburg

PETROCHEMICALS group Sasol had become the first in the world to receive international approval for its synthetic jet fuel derived from coal-to-liquids technology, to be used in commercial airliners, the company said yesterday.

Aviation stakeholders including airframe and engine manufacturers, airlines, authorities such as the International Air Transport Association and the UK's defence ministry had jointly given the approval.

The high cost of oil has forced the global aviation industry to turn to alternative fuels, which the International Civil Aviation Organisation says may offer savings and price stability. Alternative fuels are also thought to be more environmentally friendly.

The approval is a boost to Sasol's efforts to take its unique coal-to-liquids technology international. The move would also present SA and other countries rich in coal and natural gas with an opportunity to convert these natural resources into money, Sasol said.

Sasol CEO Pat Davies said last night: "This approval recognises the absolute need to develop aviation fuel from feedstock other than crude oil in order to meet the world's growing needs". The move would integrate alternative fuel into the energy mix.

The approval of its coal-to-liquids jet fuel "marks a significant development in the adoption of clean-burning alternative fuels for the aviation industry," the company said.

Engine emissions from its jet fuel were lower than those of jet fuel derived from crude oil because of a lower sulphur content, it said.

The group said it had already supplied a fuel mixture made up of a coal-to-liquid component, blended with kerosene derived from crude oil, to international airlines operating from OR Tambo International Airport.

Davies said because the approval covered fuel produced at its Secunda synfuels facility in Mpumalanga, only airlines flying from OR Tambo International would benefit.

"It makes logistical sense," he said.

Sasol said jet fuel products from the Oryx gas-to-liquid plant in Qatar, the joint venture Escravos gas-to-liquid plant in Nigeria, and possible coal-to-liquids ventures in the US, China and India, would also be submitted for sanction.

The facilities would serve airlines in their regions. Davies said the Qatar plant was likely to serve the Middle East and European markets.

Copyright ? 2008 Business Day. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).

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