## sasol nitro 

Sasol Nitro  has large production operations at Sasolburg, Secunda, Rustenburg and Bronkhorstspruit in South Africa and markets ammonia, nitric acid, explosives, fertilisers, ammonium sulphate and blasting accessories. It also markets the ammonia, sulphur and speciality gases produced by other Sasol businesses. 

## Operating safely and responsibly 

Sasol Nitro’s safety performance showed improvement, with our Bronkhorstspruit operation winning the 2009 Sasol group award for the best safety performance. The division recorded an improved RCR of 0,44 from 0,48 in 2009. Our nitrous oxide greenhouse gas abatement programme continued to deliver environmental benefi ts, generating its second batch of certifi ed emission reductions. 

## Ensuring a sustainable business 

The markets for Sasol Nitro’s products maintained their gradual recovery from the lows of late 2008, but demand remained below the levels seen before the economic crisis. A business recovery and improvement programme in response to the economic crisis has already yielded positive results, including enhanced reliability of our operations, reductions in waste generated, the exit from non-profitable product offerings and improved effi ciencies across value chains. 

Compliance with competition law remained an important area of focus. Sasol Nitro concluded an agreement with the South African competition authorities for full and final settlement of alleged abuse of dominance contraventions of the Competition Act, details of which can be found in the consolidated annual fi nancial statements under note 57.4 – Litigation. 

## Refocusing products in a challenging market 

Sasol Nitro successfully commissioned a new ammonium sulphate plant at Secunda, which uses cutting-edge technology to produce larger-size ammonium sulphate crystals with superior handling and fertiliser application properties. We also started construction of a new 400 000 tons a year limestone ammonium nitrate fertiliser granulation facility at Secunda, which is scheduled to come on stream at the end of 2011. Investments such as these are part of Sasol Nitro’s efforts to position the fertiliser business as a low-cost producer with a higher level of supply reliability. 

In October 2009, Sasol Nitro closed its phosphoric acid plant in Phalaborwa. This followed years of unsatisfactory financial performance as prevailing feedstock prices made the plant unsustainable, particularly in a depressed phosphoric acid market. We redeployed many of the plant’s employees and are in negotiations with a potential purchaser. We remain committed to managing the operation’s environmental footprint in a responsible manner. 

Sasol Nitro’s explosives business continued to achieve exceptional business results, securing a number of new contracts with large mining companies. Strong service delivery and technical support, combined with reliable product supply and quality, ensured business growth despite a contraction in South African mining output. We mothballed the packaged emulsion explosives plant because of reduced market interest in this offering. Sasol Dyno Nobel expanded production volumes, while cutting unit costs due to newly commissioned backward integration facilities and further automation in shock tube detonator manufacturing. 

## sasol wax 

Sasol Wax  has production and marketing operations in South Africa, Germany, Austria, the UK and the USA and sales offi ces in France, Egypt, Malaysia and Australia. It is a leading supplier of waxes, petroleum jellies and liquid paraffins derived from Fischer-Tropsch and oil-refi nery feedstock to customers worldwide. 

## Enhancing performance 

Sasol Wax recorded a stronger performance in 2010, due to an increase in demand, coupled with the benefi ts of stringent cost cutting. We improved safety at our facilities in South Africa, North America and Europe, reporting a RCR of 0,34, down from 0,57 in 2009. 

