Today marked the official opening of the Sasol Infrachem Laboratory at the Sasol One Site in Sasolburg, a facility that conducts process analyses for the chemical industry.

As part of the R14 billion Sasolburg Expansion Project that started in 2010, the construction of the R342 million laboratory was approved and began due to an increased demand for laboratory analyses thus a significant increase in instrumentation.

According to Managing Director of Sasol Infrachem, Louis Fourie, maintenance costs increased significantly, utilities began deteriorating and the overall safety of the building became a huge concern for Sasol.

The new building is a significant investment for the Sasol One Site Sasolburg and demonstrates the company’s commitment to the South African asset base. “It is in line with Sasol’s strategy to leverage our advanced proprietary technology and is also aligned with our longer term plans to significantly grow the chemicals businesses of the Sasol Group,” he says.

The new 24/7 laboratory provides space for all Sasol Infrachem laboratories under one roof with a total floor area of an estimated 13 000m² over six levels. The building makes provision for a 10 percent growth and creates synergy opportunities for other Sasolburg laboratories such as Sasol Wax, Sasol Solvents and Sasol Polymers.

The design of the Sasol Infrachem laboratory is based on international and modern best practices with adequate space for current and future growth and expansions.