Under a joint development agreement (JDA), they will advance studies into two potential projects: the Saldanha green hydrogen and derivatives study which will explore the region’s potential as an export hub for green hydrogen and derivatives, as well as green steel production; and the Vaal carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) study to use renewable electricity and green hydrogen to convert captured carbon from ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Vanderbijlpark’s steel plant into sustainable fuels and chemicals.

In addition, Sasol signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Freeport Saldanha Industrial Development Zone to develop a globally competitive green hydrogen hub and ecosystem within Saldanha Bay.

Priscillah Mabelane, Executive Vice President for Sasol’s Energy Business, said the two projects hold promise in unlocking South Africa’s potential to be a global green hydrogen and derivatives player.

She said, “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.”

Kobus Verster, CEO of ArcelorMittal South Africa, said they are an important “kick-start” to its decarbonisation journey and transitioning to a green economy. “Just as importantly, by maximising the utilisation of our installed assets, we will also be stimulating economic growth in our host communities,” he said.

Sasol and ArcelorMittal South Africa are two of South Africa’s biggest industrial operators that both have an ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as reach their respective sustainability ambitions and decarbonisation roadmaps.

Both initiatives have the potential for ArcelorMittal South Africa to be the first African green flat steel producer using green hydrogen to produce direct reduced iron (DRI) via the Midrex facility at its Saldanha Works (which is presently under care and maintenance), while also reducing the carbon footprint of its flagship Vanderbijlpark Works.

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) commended Sasol and ArcelorMittal South Africa on their partnership. Joanne Bate, Chief Operating Officer for the IDC, said sector linkages like this are critical to realising South Africa’s ambition to develop the green hydrogen economy.

The Vaal Triangle in South Africa has been home to fossil fuel-based industrial operations that have been crucial to the country’s economic development, supporting many livelihoods through job creation and contribution to the country’s GDP. Many of the assets in these operations can pivot to sustainable operations.

The Vaal CCU study will explore using up to 1.5m tonnes a year of unavoidable industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from the ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Vanderbijlpark Works. The CO2 is envisaged to be transported to the Sasolburg and Ekandustria operating facilities in Sasolburg and, together with green hydrogen, will eventually replace natural gas as a feedstock to produce sustainable chemicals products.

The two projects will drive the re-industrialisation of both the Saldanha and the Vaal regions, seeding the opportunity for the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem, thereby enabling long-term, sustainable benefits for communities and the country. They are expected to provide a significant number of jobs, infrastructure investment and skills development.