Litvínov, 10th May 2012 – the Research institute for an-organic chemistry (Výzkumný ústav anorganické chemie, a. s. – VÚAnCh), which is part of the Unipetrol Group, has begun the construction of the new UniCRE research and education center. This will include a significant restoration of the buildings of the former alcohol production facility and of experimental testing for the research and development of chemical/technological processes in Chempark Záluží. The research and education center should enter operation in 2014 and will employ 85 specialists. The project was financially supported by the European Regional Development Fund and by the Czech national budget, altogether in the amount of 592 437 123 CZK.
„The new UniCRE complex will contribute to the development of the North Bohemia region as well as the whole Czech chemistry and petrochemistry industry. It will become a significant research center in the Ústí nad Labem county, employing dozens highly qualified specialists," said Milan Petrák, the director of VÚAnCh.
The new center is being built by the Research institute for an-organic chemistry (VÚAnCh), a part of the Unipetrol group, with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund and the Czech national budget. The provided resources will be mostly used to restore research laboratories, conference and education areas and the purchase of modern equipment and laboratory equipment.
Three primary research directions
The concept is to have UniCRE employees focus on three primary research directions. The first is EFFicient REfining Technologies (EFFRET), i.e. the research of refining technologies for efficient and ecological utilization of energy resources in the production of motor fuels. ADvanced PEtrochemical Technologies (ADPET) represents the research of petrochemical technology for the preparation of raw materials for the production of advanced polymers.
The third planned branch is Renewable and ENvironmental TECHnologies (RENTECH), which focuses on the research of technologies for sustainable utilization of renewable energy resources and the reduction of pollutant emission. Due to the environmental burdens which have been always connected to chemical production, this direction – the development of new, more ecological methods and technologies – is extremely important for the future.
The realization of the Unipetrol Group research and education center project has begun in 2010. UniCRE should enter full operation during 2014.
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