MechChem Africa April 2020

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Sasol South Africa division appoints Worley as contractor partner

Coega signs partnership for development of industrial park The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Lejwe Le Putswa Development Agency (LDA), from the Lejwe Le Putswa District Municipality in the Free State. The partnership will see the CDC using its extensive expertise in project management to develop and manage special economic zones, assist LDA in developing projects such as the Thabong Industrial Park and the Driver training programme for youth, as well as develop a syn- thetic gas project that will turn waste to gas for power generation. The main project – the development of Thabong Industrial Park – is a R69.7million proj - ect aimed at formalising 19 businesses currently operating in the informal sector and creating employment opportunities for more than 160 people. The Industrial Park will enable emerging businesses to improve the quality standards of their products in order to become more com- petitive, and expand and create employment opportunities for local communities. This is in line with the South African govern- ment initiatives for economic development and the transformation of various industries. The district wants to diversify its economy from the shrinking mining and agricultural sec- tors. Highlighting the importance of bringing in- vestment into the area, BafunaniMnguni, CEOof LDA,saysthatmoresectorsneedtobeintroduced to increaseeconomic development inanarea that has a high unemployment rate. Enthusiastic about the collaboration of both organisations, CDC executive manager, Bonginkosi Mthembu adds, “The CDC is thrilled to have such partnerships. Coega boasts over 20 years of experience in industrial and economic development projects. The organisation has suf- ficient expertise and competent personnel who can assist. “The CDC is looking forward to working with the Lejwe LePutswaDevelopmentAgency. This is a step takenby bothparties aimed at encouraging investors and enhancing the region’s investment attraction, particularly the Free State Province,” Mthembu concludes.

Worley has been appointed by Group Technology, a division of Sasol South Africa, as the engineering contractor partner. The five-year agreement will see Worley providing engineering, procure- ment and construction services for Sasol’s capital projects portfolio, including ef- ficiency improvement and environmental initiatives, from front-end engineering design to project completion. Worley’s Energy&Chemicals Services business in SouthAfrica, jointly owned by Worley and Matasis Investments, offers global expertise to help energy, chemicals and power customers develop and main- tain technically complex facilities. As a leading global provider of professional project and asset services in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors, Worley has the capacity and expertise to offer Sasol superior portfolio management and project delivery. The company’s approach to project execution focuses on innovation and best practices, and includes systems and tools to drive safety and efficiency throughout all phases of

project delivery. Frans Oosthuizen, Worley’s Southern Africa senior business development manager for E&C services, says that the engineering contractor partnership with Group Technology will enable Worley to make a significant impact on Sasol’s project execution performance in the country,andempowerthebusinesstohelp shape and improve the engineering and construction landscape in South Africa. As Sasol’s engineering contractor partner, Worley will not only be closely collaborating with local companies in the South African design and construction industry, but will also provide training and upskilling for young graduates and arti- sans. “Worley will play an important role in developing talent in the local market. This includes working with our various construction and supplier partners to develop young engineering and artisan talent to advance their career opportuni- ties and supply the industry with needed skills,” says Oosthuizen. worleyparsons.com

The five-year agreement will see Worley providing engineering, procurement and construction services for Sasol’s capital projects portfolio.

April 2020 • MechChem Africa ¦ 27