Litvínov, 5. October 2010 – The representatives of Výzkumný ústav anorganické chemie (VÚAnCh) unveiled today in Litvínov an industrial chemistry research and educational centre project. This regional centre will be constructed within two years on the premises of Unipetrol RPA in the Záluží by Most industrial zone. The project for construction of the centre, which will connect research capacities with top educational activity and industrial application, was evaluated as one of the best regional development projects and received support from European Union funds.

Výzkumný ústav anorganické chemie, a member of the Unipetrol Group, has been preparing the regional centre project for over two years. In planning it cooperated closely with the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague. Another partner was the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Cooperation with these partners is also expected in the future.

The total costs of the centre construction were calculated as almost CZK 800 million. The grant from the EU operational program Research and Development for Innovations amounts to CZK 600 million. The project submitted by VÚAnCh succeeded against heavy competition from other research and educational centres. It was also the only project from the Ústí region to receive support from the above operational program.

“We have prepared the project with the objective of creating a modern research and education centre. From the very beginning we have endeavoured for maximum use of the synergies and the possibilities we may receive thanks to the location in an industrial zone in the middle of North Bohemia. The grant we received proves that we have found (offered) a really complex solution,” says one of the project’s authors, the CEO of VÚAnCh, Milan Petrák.

The grant, which will cover most of the investment expenditure, will allow the start of reconstruction work in the former alcohol production plant filling room at the beginning of the next year. As a result 23 laboratories with modern equipment will appear in the industrial zone, along with a conference room with two auditoriums and other research and educational facilities. In the newly equipped building the Centre will have 35 separate experimentation installation, enabling the study of most catalytic, petrochemical and refining processes, including studies on the modern processes of conversion of renewable raw materials (biomass) and environmental technologies.

“We are aware of the needs of this region and we want to participate in its development. The Centre will be unique in the Czech Republic: by the method of revitalising unused industrial space and by its orientation and importance. It will help to increase the attractiveness of the industrial agglomeration for young specialists. It will bring top students, top scientists and educators to the region,”says the Chief Executive of Unipetrol RPA, Artur Pażdzior.

The Unipetrol Group has its biggest production capacities in North Bohemia. The Záluží industrial zone houses the petrochemical plants of Unipetrol RPA and one of the Group’s refineries – the Litvínov part of Česká rafinérská. The centre under construction will focus on research, development, innovation and education in the area of refinery and petrochemical technologies, environmental technology and processes for efficient use of renewable sources

The Centre in Záluží will continue the long and successful cooperation between VÚAnCh and IChT Prague and the academic divisions of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, who participated and are currently participating in several joint research projects. It will also continue the cooperation with production plants, especially small and mid-sized companies, mostly from North Bohemia. Research will be contracted by the Unipetrol Group companies but also other firms from the industry. In the region these include Spolchemie Ústí nad Labem, Hexion Sokolov, Spolana Neratovice or Synthos Kralupy.

“The importance of this centre will transcend the borders of the region. The Centre will be unique in its speciality – industrial chemistry. Not only thanks to its connection to industrial infrastructure but also thanks to the orientation and quality of its research team. It will educate young researchers who will be able to join the research programmes on a national and European level,” says the IChT Prague Vice-Rector for Research and Development, Milan Pospíšil.

Výzkumný ústav anorganické chemie, a.s.(VÚAnCh), a member of the Unipetrol Group, conducts several extensive research projects together with its partners from the academic and business circles and with support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, realises extensive commercial development commissions and conducts other types of research work on request of its clients. The technical equipment and excellent staff allow this institution to offer to its partners and clients cooperation in the area of refining and petrochemical research, use of inorganic substances, catalysts and fertilisers or innovations concerning waste management.

Institute of Chemical Technology Prague (IChT Prague) connects tradition and the most modern nano- and biotechnologies as well as other progressive directions in science and research. This, together with an excellent international reputation and top-level equipment gives every student an opportunity to join scientific projects of his or her own choosing, enables foreign internships and later becomes a ticket to prestigious, well-respected positions in the Czech Republic and other countries.

Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IChPF of AS CzR) focuses on scientific research and development in the area of chemical process theory, especially chemical engineering, physical chemistry and bioengineering. The Institute focuses most of all on chemical and statistical thermodynamics, separation processes, catalysis, reactor engineering, applied organometallic chemistry, multiple phases chemical reactors and bioreactors, biotechnologies and environmental process technologies, as well as initiated or accelerated chemical reactions, resp. microwaves and the processes of aerosol creation and transformation.

UNIPETROL RPA, s.r.o., a company of Unipetrol Group, is a leading Czech producer in the field of refinery, petrochemical and agrochemical raw materials, which is also reflected in the initial abbreviation “RPA”: refinery, petrochemistry, agrochemistry. The company supplies the market primarily with motor fuels, fuel oils, asphalts, liquefied petroleum products, oil hydrogenates, other refinery products, olefins and aromates, agrochemicals, alcohols, carbon black and sorbents, polyolefins (high-density polyethylene, polypropylene).

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: 
Blanka Růžičková 
Spokesperson
UNIPETROL, a. s. 
Telephone: +420 225 001 407, +420 731 881 111
E-mail: blanka.ruzickova@unipetrol.cz​