Sasol commences O&S restructuring

South Africa’s Sasol has commenced restructuring its Olefins & Surfactants (O&S) business by consolidating its linear alkyl benzene (LAB) production plants and closing its head office in Bad Homburg, Germany. Sasol stated in March 2007 that it would not sell its Olefins & Surfactants (O&S) division but rather maximize value in the business through a rigorous turnaround process. As part of this process, Sasols frst step is to shut down its linear alkyl benzene (LAB) plants in Baltimore, Md., USA, and Porte Torres, Sardegna, Italy, for an indefinite period of time. Since the termination of the previously planned divestiture of the O&S business earlier this year, Sasol has identified restructuring and other opportunities to improve the business performance of its O&S division. The company intends, after consultation with stakeholders, to implement these over the next three to five years. (July 2, 2007)