It has been 20 years since ORLEN acquired the Czech company Unipetrol. Over the past two decades, through modernization and expansion of production facilities and its retail network, Unipetrol has doubled its revenues, significantly increased market share, and now plays a key role in supporting the Czech Republic’s fuel security. The company works closely with the scientific community, develops new technologies, and is pursuing an ambitious plan to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations.
“Unipetrol is one of the key companies in the ORLEN Group. Our long-term involvement shows that, through consistency and good cooperation with our partners, we can achieve not only our business goals but also deliver value to the Czech economy and the broader region. Over the past 20 years, we’ve invested over PLN 20 billion in Unipetrol. We’ve built a company that is well-prepared for market challenges and serves as a guarantee of fuel supply security. We will continue to strengthen Unipetrol’s position and expand into new business areas,” said Ireneusz Fąfara, CEO of ORLEN.
Since 2005, when ORLEN acquired Unipetrol, the Czech company has doubled its revenues, reaching CZK 163 billion in 2023. Over that period, crude oil processing volume increased by more than 57%, to 6.6 million tons. The number of fuel stations selling ORLEN-processed fuels rose from 305 to 441. These stations now operate under the ORLEN brand, making the Czech Republic the second-largest retail market for the ORLEN Group. Unipetrol now controls nearly 30% of the Czech retail fuel market, up from just 11% in 2005.
“In 20 years, ORLEN Unipetrol has become a strong domestic and European market player, an attractive employer, and an innovative leader. We are a responsible neighbor in our operating communities, a reliable partner to the Czech state, and one of the pillars of its economy. We are fully aware of our role and ready to fulfill it—both in times of prosperity and amid complex geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions,” stated Mariusz Wnuk, CEO of ORLEN Unipetrol.
Major Investments and Economic Impact
Over its two decades in the Czech Republic, ORLEN has invested more than CZK 121 billion. Its largest investment was a modern high-density polyethylene (HDPE) production facility in Litvínov, commissioned in 2021 at a cost of nearly CZK 10 billion. The plant produces HDPE used in food packaging and automotive components.
ORLEN Unipetrol is also a major producer of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), a liquid hydrocarbon used in the manufacture of polymer materials, resins, adhesives, dyes, packaging, and optical fibers. The company accounts for 20% of DCPD production capacity in Europe.
Today, ORLEN Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic by turnover, employing over 5,000 people. The group operates refineries in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, the Paramo facility in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, REMAQ in Otrokovice, a research center in Brno, the logistics firms ORLEN Unipetrol Doprava and Petrotrans, and the engineering firm ORLEN Projekt.
Over the last 20 years, ORLEN Unipetrol has contributed more than CZK 15 billion to the Czech state budget. It is also the majority shareholder of the ice hockey club HC VERVA Litvínov, which won the Czech national championship in 2015.
Retail Expansion in Central Europe
ORLEN Unipetrol also operates the ORLEN retail fuel network in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. With 441 stations and nearly 30% market share in the Czech Republic, it is the country’s market leader and an innovation driver. ORLEN has invested tens of billions of CZK in modernizing its retail network.
In 2006, premium fuels under the VERVA brand were introduced, followed by the Stop Café food service concept in 2016, now available at 358 locations. ORLEN also launched cleaning-effect fuels (EFECTA DIESEL and EFECTA 95) and, in 2020, introduced a mobile payment and loyalty app.
In the following years, the ORLEN network expanded to Slovakia and Hungary. It now operates 97 stations in Slovakia and 139 in Hungary, becoming one of the fastest-growing retail networks in the region. By 2025, ORLEN Unipetrol has evolved into a convenience sales competence center for the entire ORLEN Group, overseeing development across over 3,500 stations in seven countries.
A Focus on Sustainability
In line with the ORLEN Group’s strategy, Unipetrol aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. By 2030, it plans to reduce emissions by 25% compared to 2019. To support this goal, the company is investing CZK 35 billion in decarbonization efforts, energy efficiency, renewable energy, plastic recycling, advanced biofuels, and digitalization.
Historical Background
The acquisition of Unipetrol was formalized on June 4, 2004, through an agreement between ORLEN, the Czech National Property Fund, and the Czech Consolidation Agency for the purchase of a 63% stake in the petrochemical group. A year later, the European Commission approved the transaction in accordance with EU merger regulations, and the process was finalized in 2005.
Over the years, ORLEN Unipetrol consolidated the refining segment by gradually acquiring stakes in Czech refineries and integrating them under ORLEN Unipetrol RPA. This integration process was completed in 2018, marking a major milestone in ORLEN’s long-term investment in the Czech Republic.
Source: ManagerPlus.pl – ORLEN celebrates 20 years in the Czech Republic
