Sasol says recovery from Natref fire is taking longer than anticipated

SASOLBURG - The chemicals and energy giant Sasol said the recovery from a fire in January of its Natref refinery in Sasolburg is taking longer than anticipated. The group said therefore, it now expects a fall in fuel sales by between 1% and 3% for its year to end June. In an update for its nine months to end March, Sasol said volumes at Natref have slumped 28% so far in its financial year. News24 reports Natref, SA’s only inland fuel refinery, suffered a fire in January that caused damage to supporting piping and infrastructure around the plant’s distillation unit. Operations resumed in late February. Late last week Sasol said the impact of the incident was partially mitigated by external purchases, albeit with “logistical limitations.” This as production at the Sasol Secunda operation fell 3% for the nine months, affected by coal quality challenges and a flooding incident.