Uzbekistan Explores Gas-Chemical and Coal-Chemical Cooperation with South Africa's Sasol
Uzbekistan is considering extensive cooperation with South Africa's Sasol Limited in its gas-chemical and coal-chemical sectors, following talks in Tashkent. Discussions between Minister Laziz Kudratov and Sasol EVP Dr. Sarushen Pillay focused on joint projects for deep processing natural gas and coal. Potential areas include Sasol's involvement in a coal-to-olefins (CTO) project and technological collaboration to expand Uzbekistan's existing gas-to-liquids (GTL) complex. This initiative aims to enhance Uzbekistan's industrial capabilities by leveraging Sasol's expertise.
Uzbekistan is actively pursuing enhanced cooperation in its gas-chemical and coal-chemical sectors by engaging with South Africa's international energy and chemical giant, Sasol Limited. Recent discussions held in Tashkent on March 15, involving Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and Sasol Executive Vice President Dr. Sarushen Pillay, highlighted a mutual interest in developing joint projects. These initiatives are centered on the deep processing of natural gas and coal, aiming to convert these raw materials into higher-value chemical products.A significant area of focus is Sasol’s potential participation in a cutting-edge coal-to-olefins (CTO) project. This project would leverage Sasol's expertise to transform coal into essential chemical building blocks, diversifying Uzbekistan's chemical production capabilities. Furthermore, the talks explored opportunities for technological collaboration to improve and expand Uzbekistan’s existing gas-to-liquids (GTL) complex. This includes potentially increasing production capacity and integrating advanced processing technologies, which could significantly boost the efficiency and output of the complex.The dialogue between the two nations is not new, building on previous meetings held in Cape Town in February, underscoring a sustained commitment to fostering these partnerships. Sasol, established in 1950, brings extensive international experience, operating in over 20 countries with reported revenues of approximately $16.6 billion in 2024. This collaboration signifies Uzbekistan's strategic push to modernize and expand its energy and chemical industries, drawing on global leaders like Sasol to achieve its industrial development goals. The article also briefly notes Kazakhstan's expanding economic ties with African countries as a broader regional trend.
