Sasol and Wilmar plan Alcohol Plant in China
Bad Homburg (ots) - Sasol and Wilmar Holdings Pte Limited announced today the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a Joint Venture with the intention to construct a fatty alcohols plant in China. The partners are planning to locate a 60,000 metric ton per year plant in the industrial port city of Lianyungang and start up is expected in mid 2007. Sasol is the largest global producer and marketer of C6+ alcohols while Wilmar is a leading processor and distributor of lauric oils with substantial interests in palm oil plantations.
"Wilmar's success is attributable to several key partnerships that have been built over many years, we believe that a partnership with Sasol has the strong foundation for a very successful venture," said Kuok Khoon Hong, Wilmar Chairman. "Wilmar's leadership in tropical oils and established presence in China combined with Sasol's leadership in the alcohol market creates significant synergy," added Sasol Olefins & Surfactants Managing Director, Anton Putter. "Establishing the first world scale alcohol plant in China will allow Sasol to continue to grow with key multinational customers as they expand their operations in Asia."
The feedstock will be fatty acid produced at the same location by Wilmar. Sasol will be the exclusive distributor for the sales and marketing of the alcohols produced by the JV. Subject to the board approval of the respective companies, construction of the plant is anticipated to commence in September 2005.
Sasol, with a market capitalization of approximately USD 17 billion, is an integrated oil and gas group with substantial chemical interests. Based in South Africa and operating in 15 other countries throughout the world, Sasol brings 50 years of unparalleled experience of producing and marketing Fischer-Tropsch transportation fuels and a wide range of chemicals. Through its Olefins & Surfactants division, Sasol has a worldwide reputation as a leading supplier and manufacturer of alcohols, surfactants and detergent raw materials. Sasol is the largest producer and marketer of C6+ fatty alcohols with current capacity of over 600,000 metric tons per year. Sasol manufactures alcohols based upon a diversified technology platform utilizing oleochemical, petrochemical, and coal as raw material feedstock.
Wilmar had consolidated sales of approximately US 6 billion in 2004. Headquartered in Singapore and with an extensive footprint of production, storage and merchandizing facilities across China, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe; Wilmar is the largest processor of soy in Asia, one of the largest producer, refiner and merchandiser of tropical oils globally and a large producer of specialty oils and proteins and related products. Wilmar has recently entered the Oleochemical Industry with its first fatty acid plant in China.
Götz Lachmann
Im Atzelnest 5
D-61352
Bad Homburg
Germany
Phone: +49 (61 72) 45 33-305
Mobile: +49 (1 60) 5 83 49 94
Fax: +49 (61 72) 45 33-350
E-Mail: goetz.lachmann@de.sasol.com
Website: www.sasol.com
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