for our products, lower costs, as well as some significant positive one-time effects, including stock revaluations. The positive development, in the year, of Sasol O&S’s mainly euro- and US dollar-denominated business largely made up for the effect of the strong rand. 

An interesting trend in the year was the faster-than-expected take up of premium- brand detergents by consumers. This followed a move by consumers during the economic downturn to lower-priced products, which contained a less active ingredient (such as Sasol’s surfactants and surfactant intermediates). However, detergent manufacturers generally have not increased surfactant levels in their formulations after reducing them during the recession. 

## Operating safely and responsibly 

Continued engagement by management with operating entities on safe working practices underpinned Sasol O&S’s safety performance in 2010, with our RCR improving to 0,25 from 0,36. The employee rate was 0,16 and the service provider rate was 0,45. Maintaining this world-class performance now requires an extra effort by all our people. 

During the year, we worked to identify additional opportunities to reduce energy consumption. Many incremental improvements have already been achieved and some capital projects aimed at lowering our energy use have been approved and are underway. These will further reduce emissions and improve the efficiency of our production units. 

In line with the European Union’s regulations of the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH), our compliance team continues to make good progress towards the full registration of all our high-volume substances by December 2010. 

## Differentiating our offering 

While we will continue working to sustain our turnaround, Sasol O&S is also looking at selected growth opportunities. In this regard, we have announced a capital project to enable us to sell purifi ed tri-ethyl aluminium. Sasol O&S is the world’s largest manufacturer of this product, but has only ever consumed it internally. In addition, we are working to differentiate certain products to meet niche customer requirements and remain at the forefront of technological 

development. In the organics business, we have added a new dedicated pastillisation unit for pharmaceutical grade products. We also see interesting opportunities to use our products in new applications for enhanced oil recovery and stranded gas extraction. To meet market requirements and further strengthen the high-tech inorganics specialty chemicals, we have recently increased our capacity for specific calcined aluminas by commissioning a new calciner unit. 

Sasol O&S values a close association with our customers, allowing us to better anticipate and meet their needs effectively. In recognition of living Sasol’s shared group value of customer focus, we were recently honoured with awards from three key customers. These awards show that Sasol O&S has been able to stay focused on its customers and grow its business while successfully executing a major restructuring. 

