o highlights o Improved overall safety o Increased production volumes, driven by strong Arya Sasol Polymer Company performance o Continued cost containment despite higher electricity prices o  Turnaround process delivered positive results  Financial % change 2010 2009 Operating profi t Rm 1 958 946 Operating margin % 17 7 6 Contribution to group  operating profi t % – 4 4  Operational % change 2010 2009 Total sales Mt – 1,6 1,6 Total production Mt 7 1,6 1,5 Recordable case rate* RCR (26) 0,54 0,73 In 2010, our production activities resulted in the direct emission of 0,1 Mt of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide,  in South Africa. Total water use in 2010 was 4,5 million cubic metres (Mm$^{3}$). Environmental Keeping safety top of mind The death of an employee at Sasol  Polymers’ linear low-density polyethylene  plant at Sasolburg undermined the overall  performance of Sasol Polymers in 2010.  Johannes Mohosho, a process controller,  died on 4 June 2010 when he was  overcome by carbon monoxide gas during  a routine operating activity. His death  deepens our desire to provide a zero-harm  workplace for all our people. We again  extend our sincere sympathy to all those  close to him. Safety is a priority in Sasol. Through a  renewed focus on ensuring compliance  with all Sasol group safety systems,  we remain committed to driving down  our recordable case rate (RCR), which  improved to 0,54 in 2010, down from  0,73 in 2009. The full commissioning in the year of the  group’s first totally enclosed ground fl are,  at the monomers ethylene plant at  Sasolburg, marked a milestone in efforts  to reduce our environmental footprint.  The flare eliminates noise, vibration  and illumination, and because the fl are  gases undergo complete combustion,  smoke pollution is also eliminated. This is  an example of technology at work to the  advantage of Sasol, our communities  and the environment. Although we noted a slight improvement  in global demand for polymers in the year,  which helped lift product prices off recent  lows, these are still below the levels seen  before the economic slump of 2008.  Delays to the start-up of additional  production volumes in the Middle East  have also helped support polymers prices  in the short term. However, in South  Africa, a slowdown in residential  construction has dampened demand  for products made of polyvinyl chloride  (PVC). Most of the recent activity in the  construction industry has been focused on  large infrastructure development, such as  roads and football stadiums, with little  benefit to the residential construction  market for PVC. Sasol Polymers increased total production  volumes by some 7% in the year, driven  by the continued designed ramp-up of  the new Arya Sasol Polymer Company  plant in the Middle East. Towards the  year-end, the facility achieved an average  capacity utilisation of 70% on the second  half, while instantaneous loads were  ramped up to 80% of design capacity.  The annual average achieved was 65%.  Product from Arya Sasol Polymer  Company was successfully sold to  customers in Asia, the Middle East  and East Africa.  In South Africa, output improved slightly  from 2009 levels despite feedstock  constraints caused by modifi cations  Ramping up production annual review 2010 • operating reviews •  sasol polymers 49