Air Products expands CO₂ supply with new Sasolburg facility

August 22, 2025

Air Products South Africa has taken a significant step to strengthen its carbon dioxide (CO₂) supply network with the launch of its latest production asset – the Midlands CO₂ Facility in Sasolburg.

This strategic investment reflects the company’s commitment to diversifying its CO₂ sources, ensuring secure supply during peak summer demand periods and when existing sources are unavailable.

Successfully commissioned in April 2025, the Midlands CO₂ Facility provides a reliable additional capacity, enabling Air Products to service both existing customers and potential new markets.

From concept to commission

The journey began in 2019 when Air Products identified a potentially rich CO₂ source at Sasol’s Midlands N-Butanol plant. The raw CO₂ was found to be suitable for recovery, purification, and liquefaction.

Following extensive testing to assess composition, volume and reliability, the gas was confirmed to meet the stringent standards required for producing food- and beverage-grade liquid CO₂.

Engineering excellence and collaboration

Managing director Charles Dos Santos emphasises that a project of this nature demands strong collaboration. “Multiple parties bring their know-how, assets, technology, specialist resources, and skills – from the earliest stages of project development right through to design, construction, commissioning, and ultimately the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility,” he explains.

The success of the Midlands project, he adds, was a testament to the persistence and teamwork of all involved. Air Products worked closely with Sasol to integrate the new facility into the Sasol Midlands complex, clearly defining project interfaces and ensuring seamless operational compatibility.

The plant’s key equipment was designed and fabricated by a carefully selected global technology partner, providing state-of-the-art solutions that underpin the plant’s efficiency and reliability.

Over a 24-month execution period, Air Products managed the project in-house – overseeing procurement and designing storage, utility, cooling, and safety systems to the company’s high quality and safety standards. Remarkably, the entire project was completed without any recordable injuries.

Safety, quality, sustainability

Safety, health, environment, and quality (SHEQ) remain at the heart of Air Products’ operations. In line with its continuous improvement ethos, the company is in the final stages of obtaining FSSC 22000 food safety management certification. This will provide assurance to customers in the food and beverage sector that the liquid CO₂ meets both local and international safety standards.

A partnership with history

The Midlands CO₂ Facility is the latest chapter in a long-standing relationship between Air Products and Sasol. This partnership began in 1997 with the commissioning of two 20-km pipelines supplying oxygen and nitrogen to Sasol’s Sasolburg site. The following year saw the launch of an Air Separation Unit (ASU) on the same site, further cementing the collaboration between the two companies.

“The launch of the Midlands CO₂ Facility demonstrates our commitment to supplying high-quality liquid CO₂ to the market, while showcasing our engineering excellence and the power of strategic collaboration,” says Dos Santos, reflecting on the achievement.

About Air Products South Africa

Air Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd is a leading manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of atmospheric gases, specialty gases, equipment, and related services across Southern Africa.

Since its founding in 1969, the company has built a reputation for innovation, operational excellence, and a steadfast commitment to safety, quality, and environmental stewardship. Today, Air Products’ products and services touch the lives of consumers daily – whether in food and beverage production, mining, petrochemicals, metals and steel manufacturing, welding and cutting, or laboratory research.

With a broad industry base and a focus on sustainable growth, Air Products continues to invest in infrastructure and technology to meet the evolving needs of the Southern African market.