Sasolburg receives investment in a fresh CO2 facility by Air Products, following market requests.
Air Products' Midlands CO2 Facility Commissioned
Air Products' Midlands Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Facility, an extension of the company's long-standing relationship with Sasol, was commissioned in April 2025. The facility, located in Sasolburg, was the culmination of a project that started in 2019 [1].
The initiative began when Air Products identified a potentially rich source of CO2 from the Sasol Midlands N-Butanol plant. After evaluating the CO2 quality, quantity, and reliability, it was confirmed suitable for producing food and beverage-grade liquid CO2 [1].
The technology used includes CO2 recovery, purification, and liquefaction equipment, designed and fabricated by a global technology partner providing innovative, best-in-class solutions critical to the plant's design [1].
Collaboration was key: Air Products worked closely with Sasol to define project interfaces and integrate the new facility into the Sasol Midlands complex. The project demanded cooperation between multiple parties who contributed know-how, assets, technology, specialized resources, and skills throughout all stages—from development to long-term operation and maintenance [1].
The first load of product from the Sasolburg Midlands CO2 plant was dispatched shortly after commissioning in April 2025 [2]. The facility provides a modest capacity of secure supply of product to current and potential new customers.
Charles Dos Santos, Managing Director of Air Products, commented on the collaborative efforts required for the project, stating that the Midlands CO2 Facility demonstrates engineering excellence and the power of collaboration [1]. Air Products appreciates and acknowledges the support provided by the Sasol teams in the completion of the Midlands CO2 Facility.
The Midlands CO2 Facility is intended to fill market gaps during peak demand summer periods or when existing sources are unavailable. It is worth noting that Air Products is in the final stages of obtaining FSSC 22 000 certification, a food safety management certification [1].
Looking back, the Midlands CO2 Facility is not just an extension of Air Products' relationship with Sasol, but a testament to the company's commitment to supplying high-quality liquid product to the market. The facility's commissioning in 2025 marks a significant milestone in Air Products' history, particularly considering that an Air Separation Unit (ASU) was commissioned on the Sasol, Sasolburg facility as early as 1998.
Timeline - Started: 2019 - Commissioned: April 2025
Technology used - CO2 recovery, purification, liquefaction - Advanced global partner technology
Collaboration - Air Products, Sasol teams, multiple partners contributing expertise and assets
[1] Air Products Press Release, 2025 [2] Sasol Press Release, 2025
- The Midlands CO2 Facility, commissioning in April 2025, showcases the power of collaboration between Air Products, Sasol, and other partners in the industry, demonstrating engineering excellence.
- The facility, a significant milestone in Air Products' history, has been designed with advanced technology, implementing CO2 recovery, purification, and liquefaction equipment crucial for the plant's operation.
- Sited in Sasolburg and delivering a modest capacity of secure supply, the Midlands CO2 Facility aims to fill market gaps during peak demand periods and acts as a testament to Air Products' commitment to supplying high-quality liquid CO2 to the industry.
- The collaboration on the Midlands CO2 Facility project has been key to its success, with parties contributing expertise, assets, technology, specialized resources, and skills throughout the project stages, from development to long-term operation and maintenance.
