SASOL Integrated Report 2025_Final_28 August 2025 - Flipbook - Page 92
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT SASOL
STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
BUSINESSES
ESG
REMUNERATION REPORT
DATA AND ASSURANCE / ADMINISTRATION
ENVIRONMENT continued
WASTE
Our commitment
Our group approach
We are committed to upholding the principles of the waste hierarchy
as a foundational element of our waste management approach. We
strive to continuously improve our waste management practices
to reduce environmental impact and support sustainable resource
management.
We adopt a proactive and integrated approach to responsible waste management. We prioritise waste
avoidance and minimisation, support recycling and resource recovery, and aim to reduce landfill dependency.
Through collaboration, innovation, and the regular review of our practices, we strive to embed sustainable
solutions across our operations.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
South African Operations
Innovative solutions
We strive to minimise our environmental impact through targeted
waste management programmes. These include waste generation
reduction, waste recycling and diversion efforts to limit landfill
disposal, and employee training to promote responsible waste
practices. Key initiatives implemented include:
Through our Research and Technology (R&T) initiatives, we identified
alternative treatment solutions for high organic water (HOW) streams
that make use of existing infrastructure and assets.
Minimise waste to landfill and drive beneficiation
The prohibition on landfilling hazardous waste with > 6% Total
Organic Carbon (TOC) has been extended to August 2038
(Government Notice 5523), allowing more time to develop
sustainable disposal alternatives. Sasol is currently exploring two
viable options: (1) pre-treatment and landfilling of High Sulphur
Pitch (HSP), and (2) using treated and untreated HSP as an alternative
fuel resource (AFR). These approaches align with best practices
in waste management and ensure compliance with South Africa’s
Waste Act and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
Our application to exclude coal riddlings from the definition of waste
is approved, which will allow us to use riddlings as an AFR in industries
such as brick making and road construction.
This reclassification reflects our commitment to the principles of
the waste hierarchy and circular economy, through innovative and
sustainable solutions that reduce environmental impact and
support resource efficiency.
In FY25, ash beneficiation at Secunda Operations (SO) doubled
compared to FY24, with 335 000 tons moved offsite, primarily for
use in brick and block manufacturing. This initiative supports Sasol’s
triple bottom line by reducing environmental impact and supporting
local socio-economic development in the communities we serve.
Sasol initially considered revamping the bio-sludge incinerators at
our Secunda facility to meet updated emissions standards. However,
following extensive research, alternative treatment solutions were
identified that make use of existing assets. A key innovation was the
application of thermal lysis to the bio-sludge, allowing it to be
repurposed as feedstock in Sasol’s gasification units.
Reducing the operational cost of waste streams
In FY25, SO prioritised the avoidance of tar products to landfill during
tank maintenance, successfully reworking 1 232 tons back into the
process. This initiative delivered both cost savings and environmental
benefits by reducing landfill disposal.
The diversion of waste from landfill increased to 60% (up from 57%
in FY24), excluding ash beneficiation. This improvement was largely
driven by redirecting flare knock-out water to Sasol’s authorised
effluent treatment facilities.
Waste kilotons
(kt)
2025
2024
256
201
93
132
252
224
94
135
Hazardous waste
Non-hazardous waste
Waste incinerated
Recycled
Increase
SASOL INTEGRATED REPORT 2025
I Decrease
91
I No change
The variance in hazardous waste volumes is driven by site-specific
events, including the current re-lining of an evaporation pond at
Natref, which temporarily increased waste volumes. Additional
contributors include the Natref fire incident and the total refinery
shutdown that began in May 2024 and extended into FY25.
The reduction in non-hazardous waste volumes is due to a return to
normal levels following elevated volumes in FY24, which were driven
by once-off sump cleaning activities at Mining
International Chemicals
The Lake Charles Chemical Complex (LCCC) handles a variety of
wastes, such as hazardous and non-hazardous wastes; recycled,
reused, and reclaimed waste; and universal waste.
The site follows a rigorous programme of waste minimisation.
This includes the reduction or elimination of waste entering the
environment prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal; onsite
recycling; and onsite treatment and offsite treatment and
disposal. All known solid waste streams at the site have been
profiled to determine which are considered hazardous.
In Brunsbüttel, Germany, a pilot plant for reducing bio-sludge
waste commenced operation and has increased the proportion
of waste recycled.
Sasol in Italy has requested authorisation from the Competent
Authorities to centrifuge waste to recover the hydrocarbons
contained at the Augusta site, reducing both the consumption
of raw materials and the amount of waste to be disposed of.
