Astron Energy

Astron was founded in 1911, originally called the Texaco Company (South Africa), and imported its first crude oil cargo into South Africa in the same year. In 1966, the Caltex Refinery was constructed in Milnerton, Cape Town. It is still in operation, under the Astron brand. As part of an agreement with the South African Competition Tribunal and the Department of Economic Development, Glencore agreed to invest R6 billion in the Astron Refinery and related projects. In 2018, Astron Energy began operating the Caltex brand under a license agreement with Chevron. In July 2025, Astron unveiled its 500th rebranded gas station. ==Operations==

Retail As of 2025, Astron operates over 850 gas stations across South Africa and Botswana, which include retail gas and diesel (under its Quartech brand), Astron gas stations partner with FreshStop convenience stores and Seattle Coffee outlets, both owned by major South African supermarket chain, Food Lover's Market, which previously operated the same two brands in partnership with Caltex. As of 2025, Astron's gas station distribution included 164 in Gauteng, 123 in the Western Cape, and 77 in KwaZulu-Natal. Manufacturing Astron also owns a major oil refinery (formerly the Caltex Refinery), located in Milnerton, Cape Town. It is the country's second-largest refinery of its kind, and has an output capacity of 100,000 barrels per day. The refinery produces petroleum, diesel, jet fuel, liquefied gas, and other specialty products for use in the Western Cape, as well as for African export markets. ==Corporate social responsibility==

Astron has a Level 1 BBBEE status, with 60% of its board members and 86% of its total workforce being black South Africans (of which 35% are black women). Furthermore, around half of Astron's crude oil is procured from black-owned companies. Through its Astron Energy Development Fund (AEDF), Astron aims to support the establishment and growth of sustainable local SMMEs, with a preference for those from previously disadvantaged groups. It does so through procurement, funding, and development opportunities, via 3 flagship programs. ==See also==