Sasol Limited Audited Financial Results 2018
9
•
During the year, we invested R2 billion in skills development and socio-economic development, which includes
our Ikusasa programme, bursaries, learnerships and artisan training programmes. The Ikusasa programme
focuses on education, health and wellbeing, infrastructure, and safety and security in the Secunda and
Sasolburg regions.
•
This year saw the publication of the draft Carbon Tax and Climate Change Bills, both of which are expected to be
implemented during the course of 2019. Sasol is supportive of the “Just Transition” campaign where a holistic
approach is taken to achieving a lower carbon economy. Sasol continues to constructively engage with
government on both these critical pieces of legislation. Further, we are progressing transparency around our
climate change management, aligned with international initiatives, such as the Task Force for Climate Related
Financial Disclosure requirements. Ongoing engagements with key stakeholders inform the robustness of our
journey.
•
Our total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for all operations globally is slightly lower at 67,43 million tons for
2018 when compared to 67,68 million tons in the prior year. Our GHG emissions intensity (measured in carbon
dioxide equivalent per ton of production) is higher at 3,78 compared to 3,66 in 2017. This is due to lower
production levels in Secunda as a result of production interruptions.
•
Sasol supports the objective of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA) to
contribute to an environment that is not harmful to human health or wellbeing. We regularly engage with the
Department of Environmental Affairs on this to achieve a sustainable regulatory framework to support
meaningful improvements in ambient air quality.
•
While most of Sasol’s processes will be able to comply with new plant Minimum Emission Standards by 2025,
there are selected activities that will not. For these specific cases, Sasol relies on applications for postponement
of the applicable compliance timeframes as we continue to investigate technical solutions that will ensure
compliance. In support, we are progressing the implementation of our committed air quality roadmaps.
•
The Sasol Group Energy Intensity index (EIi) improved from the 2015 baseline by 6,03% against our internal
target of 3% (1% per year). Our South African Operation’s EIi for 2018 is 6,62% and has essentially remained
unchanged from the previous year mainly due to unplanned electricity supply outages resulting in frequent
plant interruptions at our South African operations.
•
During the year, we paid R39,5 billion in direct and indirect taxes to the South African government. Sasol
remains one of the largest corporate taxpayers in South Africa, contributing significantly to the country’s
economy.
•
During 2018, Sasol made good progress in terms of Preferential Procurement which resulted in actual spend
with black owned suppliers increasing by R5,2 billion to R12,7 billion from the prior year.
•
Sasol is committed to sustainable transformation and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). In
our recent B-BBEE verification, Sasol achieved a Level 6 contributor status representing a key milestone in our
journey of achieving at least a Level 4 contributor status by 2020.
Unwinding of Inzalo B-BBEE transaction
As announced on 26 June 2018, Sasol settled the Sasol Inzalo Groups preference share debt of approximately
R4,6 billion in June 2018 by utilising existing cash to repurchase up to 9,5 million preferred ordinary shares from
Sasol Inzalo Groups Funding (Pty) Ltd (RF) at a 30 day volume weighted average price (VWAP) of R475,03, and
funded the residual shortfall on the third party debt of R59 million. The Sasol Inzalo Public Funding Limited (RF)
debt becomes due in September 2018. The Board has approved that Sasol settle the Sasol Inzalo Public debt in the
same manner as Sasol Inzalo Groups so as to limit dilution on our shareholders, while maintaining investment
grade ratings by utilising existing cash or credit facilities to repurchase 16,1 million preferred ordinary shares from
Sasol Inzalo Public Funding Limited (RF). Based on Sasol’s current share price and the forecast debt balances, there
could be residual value, after settlement of third party debt, which will be distributed to Sasol Inzalo Public Funding
Limited (RF) ordinary shareholders.
Business performance outlook* – strong production performance and cost
reductions to continue
The current economic climate continues to remain highly volatile and uncertain. While oil price and foreign
exchange movements are outside our control and may impact our results, our focus remains firmly on managing
factors within our control, including volume growth, cost optimisation, effective capital allocation, focused financial
risk management and maintaining an investment grade credit rating.
We expect an overall strong operational performance for 2019, with:
•
SSO volumes of between 7,6 to 7,7 million tons impacted by a planned full shutdown in 2019;
•
Liquid fuels sales of approximately 57 to 58 million barrels due to a planned full shutdown at SSO;