沙索公司（Sasol Wax International AG）在南非的沙索有限公司（Sasol Limited’s business unit）已经宣布了将在南非成倍增加费托蜡生产的意图。沙索公司是全球主要的合成石蜡生产和经销商，在南非和欧洲拥有生产设备。使用费托过程生产的蜡主要应用于热熔胶，聚合物，油墨以及高性能沥青改性剂等多方面。公司表明主要通过扩大南非公司的生产能力来满足增长的市场。
这个工程将随着主要市场的成长同步分阶段开始实施。第一阶段的工作将在2010年开始投入运营。第二阶段预计2013年完成。这一项目将覆盖所有的蜡产品，包括低熔点的蜡烛用蜡到特种用途的超高硬度蜡产品。公司表明这一投资和沙索公司费托蜡生产的技术优势是一致的。
生产费托蜡的主要地理位置为南非萨索勃格，在那儿有以煤为基础的合成天然气作为生产费托蜡的原料。当前南非工厂费托蜡的生产能力为每年24万吨（5.3亿磅/年）。其中硬蜡7万吨/年（1.55亿磅/年），中硬度蜡8万吨/年（1.75亿磅/年），软蜡油3万吨（6500万磅/年），固体石蜡6万吨/年（1.32亿磅/年）。该公司还经营一家蜡厂后来并入到德班的Engen 炼油厂。这家炼油厂主要为南非以及南非的蜡烛厂提供蜡混合物。
Sasol Limited’s business unit, Sasol Wax International AG, has announced its intention to double production of Fischer-Tropsch waxes in South Africa. Sasol Wax is the world’s leading producer and marketer of synthetic and petroleum derived waxes, with production facilities in South Africa and Europe. The waxes which are manufactured via the Fischer-Tropsch process, are used in a wide variety of applications including hot-melt adhesives, polymers, inks, and high performance bitumen modifiers. The company states that it is substantially expanding production in South Africa to take advantage of growth in international wax markets.
The project will be implemented in phases in line with the projected growth in key markets. The first phase will come into operation in 2010, with the second phase expected to be completed in 2013. The project will cover the full range of products from medium melt candle waxes to ultra-hard waxes for specialty applications. The company states that the investment is in line with Sasol’s strategy to leverage its technological advantage in Fischer-Tropsch technology.
The principal location for production of Fischer-Tropsch waxes is in Sasolburg where coal-derived synthesis gas is used as the feedstock. The current production capacity of the South African wax plants amounts to 240 ktpa(530 million pounds per year) of Fischer-Tropsch products of which 70 ktpa are hard waxes(155 million pounds), 80ktpa(175 million pounds) are medium waxes, 30ktpa(65 million pounds) are waxy oils and 60 ktpa(132 million pounds) are liquid paraffins. The company also operates a wax plant integrated into the Engen refinery in Durban, South Africa. This plant produces wax blends predominantly for the South African and other African candle industries.
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