Shaakirah Cassim

I am a qualified chemical engineer with three years of experience at Sasol, where I have contributed to decarbonisation efforts, process optimization, and energy efficiency projects across complex industrial operations. My MSc research focused on minimizing CO₂ emissions from coal gasification by integrating natural gas co-feeding—a techno-economic solution for cleaner energy production. I bring a strong foundation in sustainability-driven engineering, with practical experience in process simulation, techno-economic analysis, and green steam system development.

Passionate about climate strategy and ESG performance, I aim to use technical insight to drive impactful, data-driven change in the sustainability sector.

I am a chemical engineer with three years of professional experience at Sasol, where I have worked across a range of sustainability and process optimization initiatives. My work has involved supporting gasification operations, leading plant troubleshooting investigations, and developing tools to improve energy efficiency and emissions control. I have contributed to the design and assessment of low-carbon steam solutions, conducted techno-economic analyses, and built simulation models to evaluate process improvements.

In addition to technical problem-solving, I’ve collaborated cross-functionally to deliver actionable insights aligned with environmental compliance and operational excellence.

I hold a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand, where my research focused on reducing CO₂ emissions through the co-gasification of South African coal with natural gas—a sustainable approach to cleaner energy generation. This built on my Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the same institution, where I developed a solid foundation in thermodynamics, process design, and environmental engineering. My academic background has equipped me with strong analytical and research skills, particularly in sustainable energy systems, process simulation, and environmental impact reduction.