Astron Energy, a subsidiary of Swiss commodities giant Glencore, has rapidly established itself as a dominant force in South Africa’s fuel industry. With a growing network of petrol stations and one of the country’s largest oil refineries, Astron is reshaping the competitive landscape traditionally led by brands like BP and TotalEnergies.
Glencore entered the South African fuel market in 2017 through a landmark $1 billion acquisition of Chevron’s Southern African assets. Since then, the company has invested billions of rand into infrastructure upgrades, most notably the Cape Town refinery, which now produces up to 100,000 barrels per day of refined fuel products, including petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas.
This refinery, located in Milnerton, is now operating at full capacity after restarting in 2023. It is considered a cornerstone of Glencore’s downstream energy portfolio. According to Glencore CEO Gary Nagle, the site is “cash-generative” and performing strongly, contributing significantly to the company’s earnings.
Astron Energy’s operations are not only commercially successful but also economically impactful. The refinery is estimated to contribute R95 billion to South Africa’s economy and supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs. Astron CEO Thabiet Booley emphasized the refinery’s importance in ensuring regional fuel security and sustaining employment.
Beyond its core operations, Astron runs enterprise development programs and youth skills initiatives, helping to uplift small businesses and build local capacity in the energy sector. While the refinery remains Astron’s primary revenue driver, the company is aggressively expanding its retail footprint. Since 2022, Astron has been rebranding over 800 Caltex service stations across South Africa to its own name. As of July 2025, 500 stations have been rebranded, with approximately 20 new sites updated each month.
The milestone 500th rebrand was celebrated at Astron Energy Oaklands in Johannesburg. The rebranding initiative has created over 450 jobs and involved 30 small local businesses through Astron’s supplier development programme. According to John Bailey, Acting General Manager for Retail, Sales and Marketing, the rebrand aims to modernize the customer experience and elevate service standards.
Retailer Fayyaz Moosa, who manages the Oaklands station, noted that the new branding brings a more professional and appealing look, aligning with their goal of delivering superior service. Astron Energy’s roots in South Africa stretch back over a century. The company began operations in 1911 as the Texaco Company, and in 1936, launched Caltex as a joint venture between Chevron and Texaco. The Milnerton refinery was first commissioned in 1966, making it one of the oldest and most significant refining assets in the country.
Although headquartered in Switzerland, Glencore maintains strong connections to South Africa. Both its former CEO Ivan Glasenberg and current CEO Gary Nagle were born and educated in Johannesburg. Glasenberg, who studied at the University of the Witwatersrand, transformed Glencore into one of the world’s largest commodity trading firms. Nagle, also a Wits-trained accountant, took the helm in 2021.
Glasenberg, now worth an estimated $8.8 billion (R156 billion), still visits family in South Africa. Nagle has publicly defended the country’s investment climate, citing its stable tax regime and improving infrastructure. He has also expressed optimism about Transnet’s progress and the potential for public-private partnerships to enhance logistics and energy reliability.
Under Glencore’s ownership, Astron Energy is positioning itself as a leading integrated energy company in South Africa. With a fully operational refinery, a rapidly expanding retail network, and strong local partnerships, Astron is not only competing with global fuel brands but also contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s economic development.
