High pricing helps to build a more resilient and competitive Sasol
Sandton – Sasol in its business performance metrics for the three months ended 30 September 2026 says the Company completed Q1 FY27 building on the progress made in FY26 ‘to strengthen our foundation business, supported by high pricing across key parts of the portfolio as a result of the ongoing Middle East (ME) conflict. Our focus has remained on factors within our control including safety, production efficiency, strict cost management, disciplined capital allocation and advancing strategic initiatives to build a more resilient and competitive Sasol.’
The improved safety performance recorded towards the end of FY26 continued into Q1 FY27, with no fatalities during the quarter. Sustaining this progress remains a priority, underpinned by operational discipline, proactive risk management and a strong safety culture across the business.
Business performance
In Southern Africa, Mining delivered a strong performance in Q1 FY27, reaching its highest quarterly production in 6 years. Higher own coal production resulted in lower external coal purchases while sustained improvements in coal quality supported Secunda Operations (SO).
SO production was however lower during the quarter following the completion of the planned phase shutdown. Natural gas production was broadly in line with the prior quarter and is expected to improve over the remainder of the year.
Natref production was lower than the previous quarter due to planned and unplanned shutdowns. All units were restarted, with the exception of the Residual Crude Desulphuriser (RCD) unit due to a process safety incident. The incident was contained, with restart planned for end-October 2026.
ORYX GTL was also successfully restarted in August 2026, following its shutdown in early March 2026 as a result of the ME conflict, with products successfully redirected to local markets in response to export constraints.
Liquid fuels sales volumes increased during the quarter, mainly reflecting changes in customer buying behavior and the planned drawdown of inventory built at the end of FY26, with continued growth in the mobility and commercial channels in line with our strategic objectives.
Refining margins and product differentials remained supportive for the Fuels business during the quarter. Chemicals Africa revenue declined in the quarter, reflecting lower sales volumes and average sales basket price, but remained higher than the prior year.
International Chemicals made a solid start to FY27, supported by favourable market conditions following the ME conflict, which moderated in this quarter, but remained above prior year levels.
Sales volumes were lower, reflecting normalisation of conflict-related demand, continued execution of our value-over-volume strategy and portfolio optimisation measures as part of the reset strategy. This included the closure of the Phenolics business and mothballing of the HF LAB plant in Augusta.
