ORLEN Unipetrol has decided to terminate its operations in the industrial complex in Kolín and offer it for sale. This decision is part of a broader restructuring of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group, which is undergoing a transformation towards a low- and zero-emission future, while responding to current macroeconomic challenges. The company is now looking for interested investors and development companies who would like to use the potential of this area for their business plans.
"We are going through a period of significant changes that reflect both our decarbonization strategy and current developments in macroeconomic markets. We invest in low-emission technologies and at the same time optimize our business to strengthen our competitiveness. We focus on key areas – refining, petrochemicals, energy and sustainable development. For activities that are not directly related to these areas, we are looking for new forms of utilization. We believe that the location has great potential for new investors who can implement projects with great added value for the city and the entire region," said Zdeněk Jíra, Member of the Board of Directors of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group responsible for finance and assets.
The extensive 44.4-hectare plot represents a unique opportunity for investors from industry, logistics and development. The site, which in the past was mainly used for the production of lubricants, is strategically located near the D11 motorway and the main railway routes. It has its own railway siding, which ensures excellent transport accessibility. The land is fully networked and has its own water source.
The city of Kolín accepts the company's decision. "The industrial site in Kolín has a long tradition and has been an important part of local industry for decades. ORLEN Unipetrol has been a long-standing and stable employer in the region. However, we fully understand that if there is no further use for the site within the company's current strategy, it is logical to look for a new way. We are ready to cooperate with new investors who will respect the needs of the city and its residents. We believe that the new use of the area will bring job opportunities, innovations and further development of the region," added Michael Kašpar, Mayor of Kolín.
The industrial complex in Kolín has more than a hundred years of history. Production here began as early as 1902 under the name of the Czech Joint Stock Company for Kerosene Refining in Kolín. In 1953, the company was renamed KORAMO – an abbreviation for the Cologne Mineral Oil Industry. The complex specialized in the production of lubricants, bitumens and other refinery products and became an important part of the Czech chemical industry. After 2000, the company was incorporated into the then Unipetrol Group (current ORLEN Unipetrol), which in 2005 became part of the multinational ORLEN Group. As a result of changes in the chemical industry and developments in the European market, there has been a gradual decline in lubricant production in recent years, which resulted in the definitive closure of the site in 2021. The site is now being offered for sale as part of a wider restructuring of the group and a focus on key business activities.
Contact: Pavel Kaidl, spokesperson
phone: +420 736 502 520
e-mail: pavel.kaidl@orlenunipetrol.cz