Sasol joins forces with ArcelorMittal to explore carbon capture technology

South African petrochemical company, Sasol, announced a partnership with ArcelorMittal South Africa to explore carbon capture technology.

BusinessTech Africa has gathered that Sasol and steelmaker ArcelorMittal South Africa will also explore steel production using green hydrogen – Sasol announced on Tuesday.

Green hydrogen, produced from splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, is considered a cleaner energy source for the future, but the technology is still in its infancy and relatively expensive.

Known as the world’s biggest producer of fuel products and chemicals from coal, Sasol, is transitioning away from fossil fuel as part of its decarbonisation plan. 

At the same time, ArcelorMittal South Africa is Africa’s biggest steel producer and boasts a significant carbon footprint.

The two companies, ArcelorMittal and Sasol will study the use of renewable electricity and green hydrogen to convert captured carbon from ArcelorMittal’s Vanderbijlpark steel plant into sustainable fuels and chemicals – Sasol said via MoneyWeb.

“These studies are anchored by the local need for green hydrogen and sustainable products, cementing Sasol as the leading contributor to the development of southern Africa’s green hydrogen economy,” said Priscillah Mabelane, Executive Vice President for Energy.

It is also announced that the two South African companies are targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with the South African government’s aim to cut climate-warming gas emissions.

The initiatives could see ArcelorMittal South Africa becoming Africa’s first green flat steel producer using green hydrogen from its Saldanha works, which are currently under care and maintenance.

Moreover, the two companies, Sasol and ArcelorMittal, will also study the use of renewable electricity and green hydrogen to convert captured carbon from ArcelorMittal’s Vanderbijlpark steel plant into sustainable fuels and chemicals, it said.

“These potential projects are an important kick-start to our decarbonisation journey and create an exciting opportunity to contribute to the South African government’s aspirations to transition to a green economy,” said Kobus Verster, chief executive of ArcelorMittal South Africa.

Main Image: Sasol Plant/Bloomberg