China assures Sasol on IPR protection for CTL process

07 September 2004 15:40  [Source: ICIS news]

JOHANNESBURG (CNI)--South African oil group Sasol has received assurances from top Chinese government officials that its intellectual property rights (IPR) will be protected on a proposed $6bn (Euro4.98bn) coal-to-liquids (CTL) project in China.

 

The project involves the construction of two CTL plants based on Sasol’s Fischer Tropsch technology.

 

Sasol director Pat Davies said at the 2003-04 results presentation here: “Intellectual property concerns are a topic…But we are encouraged…There was a firm commitment from senior government officials.”

 

Sasol and Chinese officials began a feasibility study on the project this month. However, Sasol has said it is reluctant to transfer its technology unless it gets specific guarantees from the Chinese government that its rights on the process will be protected.

 

The Fischer Tropsch process forms the backbone of Sasol’s 155 000 bbl/day CTL plant at Secunda, South Africa, the world’s only commercial coal to fuels plant which also produces chemical feedstocks.

By: Steve Swindells
+44 20 8652 3214

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