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Petrochemicals

Petrochemicals are chemical products derived from petroleum or natural gas feedstocks through refining and processing operations. The industry transforms hydrocarbon raw materials such as crude oil, natural gas liquids and refinery streams into a vast array of intermediate and finished chemical products that serve as building blocks for modern manufacturing. Core petrochemical products include ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene and xylene, which are converted into plastics, synthetic fibres, rubber, solvents, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals and thousands of other consumer and industrial goods. The sector sits at the intersection of the energy and chemicals industries, typically integrated with oil refining operations to capture synergies in feedstock supply and processing infrastructure. Petrochemical production is capital-intensive and requires large-scale facilities such as steam crackers, aromatics complexes and polymer plants. Major producing regions include the Middle East, North America, Asia and increasingly Africa, where new refinery and petrochemical projects are being developed to capture value from domestic hydrocarbon resources and meet growing demand for plastics and chemicals. The industry is a significant driver of economic development, supporting downstream manufacturing sectors and creating employment across the value chain. Petrochemicals account for a substantial and growing share of global oil demand, with plastics production alone consuming about 14% of total petroleum output. The sector faces mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions and address plastic waste, prompting investment in recycling technologies, bio-based feedstocks and circular economy models. Energy transition policies and sustainability concerns are reshaping the industry's long-term outlook, even as demand for petrochemical products continues to rise in emerging markets. African countries with large refining projects are increasingly incorporating petrochemical units to diversify revenue streams and supply regional markets.

Petrochemicals Updates


3D printed oil barrels and a percentage symbol
Oil prices climb more than $4 after Israeli strikes on Iran, Lebanon
8th June 2026 By: Reuters

Oil prices jumped more than $4 on Monday, with investors spooked by fresh Israeli strikes on Iran as well as renewed attacks on Lebanon a day earlier. Brent crude futures rose $4.42 or 4.47% to... 


VEGA to Showcase Cutting-Edge Measurement Technology at Electra Mining Africa 2026
5th June 2026

(Virtual Showroom) Electra Mining Africa is one of the most significant dates on the industrial calendar, and this September, VEGA will be bringing its world-class measurement technology to the... 



Sasol's destoning plant
Report highlights challenges, risks facing Sasol amid the just energy transition
29th May 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As the world embraces a just energy transition, petrochemicals giant Sasol stands at a critical crossroads as one of South Africa's largest industrial employers and a key pillar of South Africa's... 


Global PVC Market Shifts Under Spotlight at SAVA’s 14th AGM
Global PVC Market Shifts Under Spotlight at SAVA’s 14th AGM
28th May 2026

The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) hosted its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 21 May 2026, bringing together key stakeholders from across the PVC value chain to reflect on the past... 


Babcock completes complex brownfield low-NOx retrofit at major South African petrochemical facility
13th May 2026

As environmental regulations tighten across South Africa’s petrochemical and energy sectors, operators are increasingly required to upgrade existing combustion infrastructure to meet stricter... 


New Automation Innovations on Show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
New Automation Innovations on Show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
7th May 2026

New emerging innovations are transforming the South African mining, manufacturing, industrial and automation sectors and driving the deployment of advanced technological solutions across... 


Sasol's Sasolburg plant
Sasol aims for green jet fuel exports to EU
23rd April 2026 By: Reuters

South African petrochemical company Sasol has received certification from a German agency for its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), paving the way for it to start exports to the European Union, a... 


African development needs greater refining capacity
13th April 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

African industrialisation needs secure energy supply chains. So highlighted African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) executive secretary Anibor Kragha in a concise address to the 2026... 


Babcock delivers fast-tracked boiler upgrade project at major South African refinery
Babcock delivers fast-tracked boiler upgrade project at major South African refinery
1st April 2026

As South African refineries continue to modernise ageing infrastructure to improve environmental compliance and operational reliability, the ability to execute complex boiler modifications within... 


LIFE-CYCLE COSTING
Project evaluation has shifted from a capital expenditure-driven approach towards a total cost of ownership model that considers long-term operational performance alongside construction costs
Performance-based decisions shaping petrochemicals projects
13th March 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Engineering design choices, brownfield upgrades and changing regulatory requirements are reshaping the way in which petrochemical and storage infrastructure projects are being executed, says... 


Head and shoulders shot of Bongani
Logistics resilience underpins downstream supply
13th March 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Reliable logistics remain critical to supporting South Africa’s downstream chemicals and petrochemicals value chain as industry depends more on secure fuel supply, says integrated energy company bp... 


equipment maintenance
Predictive maintenance improves plant reliability
13th March 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Equipment reliability is key to maintaining continuous production in chemicals plants, says electrical engineering company Delba Electrical marketing spokesperson Mike Lerios. Amid South Africa’s... 


Sasol's Sasolburg operation
Sasol half-year profit down 34% on lower oil, chemical prices
23rd February 2026 By: Reuters

South African petrochemical firm Sasol on Monday reported a 34% drop in half-year profit, mainly due to lower oil and chemical prices. Sasol's headline earnings per share was R9.27 in the six... 


MetaleN image
MetaleN
20th February 2026

Local tube manufacturer MetaleN manufactures heat exchanger tubes in various steel, copper and nickel alloy inner tubes with copper, steel or aluminium fins. It produces lengths up to 15 m as well... 


The Dangote oil refinery
Dangote signs $400m equipment deal with China's XCMG to speed up refinery expansion
17th February 2026 By: Reuters

Nigeria's Dangote Group has signed a $400-million equipment deal with China's Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group to speed up the expansion of its oil refinery toward a planned 1.4-million barrels... 


solar panels, wind turbines and electricity pylons
RMB provides R4.45bn funding to expand Reatile’s energy investments
5th February 2026 By: Darren Parker

Financial institution Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has structured a R4.45-billion funding package to support energy investment company Reatile Group’s expansion across South Africa’s energy sector,... 


 Raysonics Industrial CEO Bennie Groenewald
German group DEKRA has sold its South African NDT business to local consortium Raysonics
26th January 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The sale, by Germany-based global group DEKRA, of its South African non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection company DEKRA Industrial RSA, to local consortium Raysonics Investment, has now been... 


An image of one of the Hansen IGUs being assembled
Repair service underpins company’s support of industrial sectors
23rd January 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

Industrial equipment supplier BMG repairs Hansen industrial gear units (IGUs) in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s documented procedures, consequently preserving the design tolerances and... 


Precision Without Compromise: Radiometric Density Measurement in Petrochemical Applications
Precision Without Compromise: Radiometric Density Measurement in Petrochemical Applications
6th January 2026

(Virtual Showroom) From high-pressure reactors to bitumen tanks and slurry pipelines, petrochemical plants face some of the most challenging measurement tasks in the industry. When conditions like... 


WASAA founder and MD Nokwanele Qonde
25-year deal signed for new Port of Durban LPG terminal
12th December 2025 By: Terence Creamer

A 25-year terminal operator agreement to develop and operate a new R1.4-billion liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminal at the Port of Durban’s Island View precinct has been concluded. The deal was... 


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