Litvínov, February 7, 2012 – On January 1, 2012, the Inorganic Chemistry Research Institute (VÚAnCH) celebrated its 60 thanniversary. In the 1970’s and 80’s, there were as many as 320 people working at the VÚAnCH, out of which up to 120 were university graduates. In 1997, it became part of the Unipetrol Group. In addition to its regular research and development responsibilities, the Institute currently provides services related to environmental protection (for example, the analysis of water and waste products) along with consultants from other specialized fields.
“During its sixty-year life, the VÚAnCH has been party to a number of major accomplishments in the area of research and development. The most difficult situation faced by the Institute – paradoxically after the 1989 political change – was when state support for its activities suddenly stopped,” stated Artur Paździor, General Executive of Unipetrol RPA.
“Currently, in addition to its activities related to the Unipetrol Group, we are working on a number of projects with other industrial partners in the Ústí Region, as well as from outside the region. This year, the Institute is looking forward to moving into more modern facilities and the construction of the UniCRE (Unipetrol Center for Research and Education) Research Center,” he added.
The new UniCRE research and education center is to be built in the Chempark Záluží industrial park with the actual start of construction now scheduled for March 1, 2012. After completion in 2013, there will be modern office and laboratory spaces devoted to research and development, innovation, education in refinery and petrochemical technologies, environmental technologies and technologies and processes related to the efficient and effective use of sources of renewable energy.
Today, sixty years after its founding, the Inorganic Chemistry Research Institute has 118 employees with an annual turnover of roughly CZK 85 million (2011). Since 2004, the Institute has been the holder of a certificate of compliance with the ISO 9001:2000 standard in relation to the fields of research and development in chemistry, technologies related to the use of raw materials and the chemical analysis of materials in a solid, liquid or gaseous state.
Currently, VÚAnCh’s activities can be broken down as follows:
Research and development services and technology services:
- Research and development activities in the fields of organic and inorganic chemical technologies – such as research into geopolymers, the preparation of zeolites and their use, nanotechnologies, refinery research, petrochemicals, research into new polymers and their use, etc. The activities of the Institute are also focused on the providing of engineering services, assistance with the introduction of new production technologies, technological innovations and the verification and documentation of observed facts and phenomena and their possible uses – most brought to the stage of project documentation.
- Analytical services, including the use of specialized equipment and laboratory technologies – XRD, XRF, AAS, ICP, particle size measuring, GC-MS, HP-LC, etc.
Environmental services:
- Analysis of water, waste products, air pollution (gas emissions), raw materials, final products and intermediate products.
Information services:
- Processing of intermediate technical and economic information, time series and profiles, etc. with a focus on and related to inorganic chemistry.
- Processing of specific technical and economic information and marketing studies as requested by customers.
- Information from the global professional community, patent and economic databases and the tracking of development trends.
- Consulting services in the area of the protection of intellectual property.
The Institute is currently looking for new modern premises for its staff in Ústí nad Labem, which will allow for the continuity of its successful and historical presence in the area. The new facilities in the Chempark Litvínov will include the new UniCRE research center, which is receiving support from the Czech Ministry of Education under the “Research and Development for Innovation” EU Operational Program.
“I am confident that with its planned development activities, professionally competent team and clear research profile, the Institute will be around for at least another sixty years,” Artur Paździor added.
The Institute is an active member of the Czech Chemical Industry Association and the Czech Association of Research Organizations. It is co-founder of the “Czech Technological Platform for Bio-Components in Transportation and Chemical Industries” and a co-founder of the “Czech Technological Platform for Sustainable Chemistry”. Additional information can be found at: www.vuanch.cz.
UNIPETROL, a.s. is a group of companies operating in the petrochemical industry in the Czech Republic. In 2005 UNIPETROL became a part of the PKN ORLEN Group, the largest oil processor in Central Europe. The UNIPETROL Group is oriented mostly towards oil processing, fuel distribution and petrochemical production. In all of these business areas the UNIPETROL Group is among the key players both in the Czech Republic and on the Central European market. The Group ranks among the leading firms in the Czech Republic in terms of its revenues, and employs almost 4,000 people.
Contact:
Mikuláš Duda
Press Department Manager
Telephone: +420 225 001 407, +420 736 502 520
E-mail: mikulas.duda@unipetrol.cz