Sasol has achieved a milestone in African refining by obtaining sustainability certification for its Natref refinery, marking a significant step towards decarbonising its operations and strengthening its position in low-carbon markets.
Sasol has secured a notable first for African refining after Natref obtained product sustainability certification for renewable fuel pathways, while its Secunda Operations also gained certification for sustainable chemicals production.
The certification followed an on-site final audit by TÜV SÜD under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus scheme, commonly known as ISCC+. According to Sasol, the approval covers sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel made through co-processing of used cooking oil and vegetable oil at Natref, the refinery it operates with TotalEnergies in South Africa.
For Sasol, the development is more than a compliance exercise. Sarushen Pillay, the company’s executive vice president for Business Building, Strategy and Technology, said the certification shows the group can deliver sustainable fuels and chemicals at industrial scale using its existing South African assets. He said independent verification strengthens confidence in Sasol’s transition strategy and its ability to compete in low-carbon markets.
The milestone sits alongside a broader sustainability agenda for Sasol Chemicals, which has set a target of cutting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 from a 2017 baseline, and reaching net zero for those emissions by 2050. The company says it intends to rely on more renewable power, lower-carbon steam generation and efficiency gains, with carbon capture, utilisation and storage among the longer-term options.
Sasol has also been highlighting a wider portfolio of environmental certifications across its chemicals business, including ISCC approvals at other sites and additional standards such as EcoCert and EcoVadis across several regions. The company presents those credentials as evidence that sustainability is becoming embedded across its global operations rather than confined to a single project.
Natref’s certification is particularly significant for industrial decarbonisation because it signals that existing refinery infrastructure can be adapted to supply lower-carbon fuels without waiting for entirely new asset builds. For refiners, that kind of pathway may prove commercially important as customers, regulators and trading partners put more weight on traceability, carbon intensity and feedstock provenance.
The move also comes as Sasol says it is preparing for stricter supply-chain expectations in Europe, including rules on deforestation-free products. Against that backdrop, the certification at Natref and Secunda suggests the company is trying to position itself for a market in which verified sustainability credentials are becoming part of the licence to operate.
- https://biodieselmagazine.com/articles/sasol-achieves-sustainability-certification-for-renewable-diesel-saf – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.sasol.com/sustainability – Sasol Chemicals is dedicated to achieving meaningful sustainability goals, focusing on reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, using 2017 as the baseline. The company aims for net-zero emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG by 2050. Strategies include increasing the use of renewable electricity, adopting low-carbon energy sources for steam production, and prioritising energy and process efficiency initiatives. Beyond 2026, Sasol plans significant initiatives like Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), requiring substantial capital investments.
- https://chemicals.sasol.com/sustainability/certifications – Sasol Chemicals showcases its achievements and compliance with global environmental standards through various certifications. These include EcoCert certifications for Sasol Germany Brunsbuettel, EcoVadis certifications for Sasol China, Italy, Germany, South Africa, and the USA, ISCC certifications for Sasol Slovakia and South Africa Secunda, and RSPO certifications for Sasol China, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, and the USA. These certifications reflect Sasol’s commitment to sustainability and responsible production practices across its global operations.
- https://chemicals.sasol.com/whoweare/international-chemicals-business – Sasol International Chemicals manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of specialty and commodity chemicals for various applications and industries. The Advanced Materials business division is one of the world’s leading producers of high-purity and ultra-high-purity aluminas, including doped aluminas and mixed oxides for high-performance catalysts used in refinery, chemical, emissions control, and circular economy applications, among others. This division underscores Sasol’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions through its unique chemistry.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sasol – Sasol is a South African integrated energy and chemical company. The Natref refinery, a joint venture between Sasol and TotalEnergies, processes medium gravity crude oil for bottoms upgrading and is capable of producing 70% more white product than coastal refineries that rely on heavy fuel oil. Products from the refinery include diesel, petroleum, jet fuel, LPG, illuminating paraffin, bitumen, and sulfur. Natref has been certified in terms of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, reflecting its commitment to environmental management.
- https://chemicals.sasol.com/sustainability/eudr – Sasol prioritises environmental responsibility and sustainability across its supply chain, actively addressing the European Union’s Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), effective from December 30, 2025. The EUDR aims to combat deforestation by restricting the importation of products linked to deforestation, including those derived from palm oil. Sasol fully supports this regulation, recognising its importance in safeguarding global biodiversity and addressing climate change, and remains dedicated to meeting its provisions for a more sustainable future.
- https://products.sasol.com/pic/products/home/carbon/index.html – Sasol’s CarboTar Plant in the Synfuels Plant in Secunda produces high-quality carbon-based products. These products are used in a broad range of applications, including the manufacturing of small diameter graphite electrodes, cathode blocks for the aluminium industry, feedstock for the production of graphite artefacts used in the military and aerospace industries, as a reductant in the platinum and ferroalloys industries, raw material for the production of high-quality calcium carbide and silicon carbide, and as a recarburizer or carbon raiser in the steel and foundry industry.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on May 5, 2026, and reports on Sasol’s recent achievement of sustainability certification for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Similar reports from April 2026 indicate that Sasol was in the process of obtaining certification, with the certification granted in late April 2026. The article provides updated information on the certification status, suggesting freshness. However, the content is based on a press release from Sasol, which may limit the originality of the reporting. Additionally, the article includes direct quotes from Sasol’s executive vice president, Sarushen Pillay, which are consistent with previous reports, raising concerns about the originality of the quotes. The article does not provide specific dates for the certification process, making it difficult to assess the timeline of events accurately.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Sarushen Pillay, Sasol’s executive vice president for Business Building, Strategy and Technology. These quotes are consistent with statements made in previous reports from April 2026, suggesting potential reuse of content. The lack of specific dates for the certification process makes it challenging to verify the exact timing of these statements. The absence of independent verification of these quotes raises concerns about their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article is published on Biodiesel Magazine’s website, which is a niche publication focusing on the biofuel industry. While it provides industry-specific news, its reach and reputation may be limited compared to major news organizations. The content is based on a press release from Sasol, which may introduce bias and lacks independent verification. The reliance on a single source for the information raises concerns about the reliability and objectivity of the reporting.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims made in the article align with Sasol’s known sustainability initiatives and previous announcements regarding renewable fuel production. The certification by TÜV SÜD under the ISCC Plus scheme is a credible process for verifying sustainability in biofuel production. However, the article does not provide specific details about the certification process or timeline, making it difficult to fully assess the plausibility of the claims. The lack of independent verification of the certification process raises concerns about the accuracy of the reported information.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article reports on Sasol’s recent achievement of sustainability certification for renewable diesel and SAF. However, it relies solely on a press release from Sasol, lacks independent verification, and includes quotes that are consistent with previous reports, suggesting potential reuse of content. The absence of specific dates and details about the certification process further raises concerns about the accuracy and freshness of the information. Given these issues, the content does not meet the necessary standards for independent verification and objectivity, leading to a FAIL verdict with MEDIUM confidence.
