Which developing countries lead the world in a particular technology?

The indirect coal liquefaction process involves first gasifying the feedstock coal, then purifying the resulting syngas to obtain a synthesis gas mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. This syngas is then converted into liquid fuels or chemical products under conditions of approximately 270°C–350°C, 2.5 MPa pressure, and in the presence of a catalyst. Specifically, coal is gasified into syngas (CO + H₂); the syngas is purified by removing sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen impurities; the H₂/CO ratio is adjusted via the water-gas shift reaction to an optimal value; and finally, liquid fuels are synthesized via the Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) catalytic reaction. A typical Fischer–Tropsch diesel synthesis process comprises three main steps: coal gasification and syngas purification; water-gas shift and CO₂ removal; F–T synthesis; and subsequent oil refining. Crude syngas produced by the gasifier is cleaned and cooled to yield purified syngas, which then undergoes a sulfur-tolerant, wide-temperature-range CO shift reaction followed by acid-gas removal to produce synthesis gas meeting required specifications. This purified syngas enters the synthesis reactor, where, under controlled temperature, pressure, and catalytic conditions, hydrogen and carbon monoxide are converted into straight-chain hydrocarbons, water, and small amounts of oxygenated organic compounds. The oil-phase fraction is further processed using conventional petroleum refining techniques to yield qualified diesel fuel. Key features of F–T synthetic diesel include relatively mild operating conditions—reaction temperatures below 350°C for fixed-bed, fluidized-bed, or slurry-phase reactors, and pressures between 2.0 and 3.0 MPa—as well as high conversion efficiency.

South Africa’s 'black tech' born from sanctions: turning coal into oil!

Today we’re diving into something utterly astonishing—and technically hardcore: South Africa, possessing virtually no domestic oil reserves, managed—under total global embargo—to turn coal into gasoline! This feat is nothing short of a Hail Mary in the energy world! Hi everyone, I’m Feizi Yu. Let’s start with Side A—the background: a life-or-death, sanctions-driven breakthrough technology. What was South Africa’s situation? Coal-rich, oil-poor, and literally running on empty. During the apartheid era, the international community imposed a full petroleum embargo. Cars stalled, planes grounded—national paralysis set in almost overnight. Most countries would have panicked, but South Africa took an unexpectedly brilliant turn: ‘You won’t sell us oil? Fine—we’ll make our own!’ They imported Germany’s Fischer–Tropsch synthesis technology, heavily adapted it, and executed it with relentless determination. In short: crush coal, gasify it, catalyze it—and, after a series of intense, precise operations, transform black coal lumps into crystal-clear gasoline! This isn’t magic—it’s a technological miracle forged at the very edge of desperation. Now, Side B—the evolution: scaling up from a backyard workshop to global leadership. At first, few believed coal could ever become oil. Yet South Africa founded Sasol—a dedicated state-owned enterprise—and kept pushing forward, mastering the process step by step. While others were still tinkering in labs, South Africa had already built industrial-scale plants and begun mass production; while others were still calculating costs, South Africa was already meeting nearly half its national energy demand through this very technology.

Sasol FY26 metrics exceed guidance on strong production

Jul 21, 2026

Sasol Limited surpassed FY26 market guidance driven by strong Secunda production and International Chemicals performance, with projected IC Adjusted EBITDA exceeding US$375-450 million. Strategic initiatives include a €60 million German alumina investment and restarting an Italian paraffin unit.

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