
Sasol Aims to Revive International Chemical Business for Potential Listing
Sasol Ltd. is taking strategic steps to rejuvenate its international chemical operations, especially focusing on its extensive US complex, with the intention of boosting earnings and possibly considering an independent listing. For more details, visit the source article from Bloomberg.
The Johannesburg-listed company's shares surged by a remarkable 10.5%, marking the most significant increase since June 18. This rise follows a challenging period where Sasol recorded its first loss since 2020, compounded by write-offs amounting to billions. The South African firm, known for its coal-to-fuel and chemical operations, is grappling with a $4 billion debt and has halted dividend payments. Its stock value plummeted by 55% in 2024.
CEO Simon Baloyi, who assumed leadership in April, places significant emphasis on the operational success of the $12.8 billion Lake Charles chemicals facility in Louisiana. Despite the challenges, he described the asset as possessing immense potential and emphasized its critical role in generating cash and uplifting investor confidence.
According to data from the IndexBox platform, the global demand for specialized chemicals is projected to continue its upward trajectory, providing a favorable backdrop for Sasol's strategic plans. Baloyi elaborated on the envisioned future at the peak of the chemical market, anticipating multiple strategic options like listing the business independently or merging it with another entity to enhance shareholder value.
The Lake Charles project which initially aimed to enhance Sasol's global operational footprint, faced setbacks due to mismanagement, extreme weather conditions, and spiraling costs that exponentially increased the company's debt burden. In 2020, Sasol offloaded a $2 billion share in its US base-chemicals venture, resulting in a joint endeavor with LyondellBasell Industries NV as part of its debt reduction strategy. Baloyi remains committed to avoiding any "fire sale of assets," focusing instead on a comprehensive review aimed at reinforcing the financial independence of its units to sustainably manage operational expenses and service debt interest.
Meanwhile, the company is addressing challenges related to the quality of coal produced for its Secunda manufacturing hub, taking definitive steps through a new de-stoning initiative to enhance coal quality.
This is indicative of Sasol's overarching commitment to refining operational efficiency and sustainability across its portfolio, while simultaneously exploring growth avenues within the chemicals sector.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
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2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
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3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE
- CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
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4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
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5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
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6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
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7. GLOBAL PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
- PRODUCTION BY COUNTRY
8. GLOBAL IMPORTS
The Largest Importers on The Market and How They Succeed
- IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. GLOBAL EXPORTS
The Largest Exporters on The Market and How They Succeed
- EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
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10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
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11. COUNTRY PROFILES
The Largest Markets And Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- United States
- China
- Japan
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- France
- Brazil
- Italy
- Russian Federation
- India
- Canada
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- Republic of Korea
- Spain
- Mexico
- Indonesia
- Netherlands
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- Switzerland
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- Nigeria
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LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Per Capita Consumption, By Country, 2018–2024
- Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
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LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Consumption, By Country, 2024
- Market Volume Forecast to 2030
- Market Value Forecast to 2030
- Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
- Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
- Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
- Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
- Production Volume And Growth
- Exports And Growth
- Export Prices And Growth
- Market Size And Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports And Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Production, By Country, 2024
- Production, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, 2012–2024