For the last five years, the Polish company Warter Fuels was the sole producer and distributor of Gulf fuels in Europe. Following the success of the 100-octane petrol that was produced for one of the largest fuel station networks, the Polish producer decided to develop its own brand of rally fuels. Soon, the first barrels of Warter Racing petrol will reach customers in nearly 120 countries. In the rally fuel market, which is estimated to amount to hundreds of thousands of tonnes annually in Europe, Warter Fuels aims to be a key supplier.
“We are returning to our history”, emphatically states Wojciech Okine from the Warter Fuels board. “For years we have been conducting research on fine-tuning high-octane petrols to maximize engine power and torque. We test the results of our work in every possible way and in all available conditions to meet drivers’ expectations. We do not undertake less or more advanced research. Therefore, although barrels of Warter Racing and Gulf Racing fuels are distinguished by label, they are bound by the technology developed in Warter’s laboratory, and Płock being the place of production”- explains W. Okine.
In Płock, it is emphasized that a globally recognized brand was a pass to many new markets, but also somehow reduced the Polish producer to the role of a nameless supplier without its own R&D department. “However, in the end, technology, quality, and repeatability of parameters matter the most as they build the brand and trust in it. We’re not initiating a revolution, just restoring some order. The history of rally fuel production in Płock dates back to 2014. After two years of research, in 2016, we introduced Warter Racing 101+ petrol to the market, and shortly afterwards Warter Racing 102, which already met the requirements of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). We expanded our range to include WR 105 fuels, WR 108, further E85 and more” – sums up Janusz Pilarczyk from the Warter Fuels board.
More and more often and in greater numbers
The times are favorable for such decisions. After a few years of fascination with electromobility, major car manufacturers have returned to plans to develop internal combustion engines. The longer future of the internal combustion engine is foreseen by Volvo, Mercedes, Ford, and BMW, and will continue to be developed by manufacturers from Japan. As Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes, aptly put it in “Wirtschaftswoche” magazine a few months ago: “The transformation may take longer than expected”.
“Today, as never before, it is clear that we are far from the end of the technological and qualitative possibilities for the development of traditional engine fuels. This is also the second area of activity of Warter Fuels after aviation fuels, and the result of the work undertaken will be even more efficient fuels for the next generation of internal combustion engines, with considerably better performance: greater power and higher efficiency. We want and we will do this as Warter”- explains Wojciech Okine.
The Polish company’s decision practically means the end of Gulf petrol on many international markets. It is worth explaining that this historic brand is today only a “marketing asset” – on a license basis it is “leased” to various manufacturers. “For several years, through consistently implemented information campaigns, we have somehow reactivated the perception of Gulf as a producer and distributor of fuels, and not just engine oils. This was an important stage that introduced us to the automotive sports market, but now it’s time for us to focus on developing our own brand”- summarizes W. Okine.
Recall that the history of modern petrol development in our country involves two key dates. 1971, when the Oil Refining Industry Research and Development Center was established in Płock, and 2012, when the owner of OBR became the Warter Chemical Plant, which was involved in the production of special purpose chemical products. For decades, the plant in Płock was a producer and supplier of key additives used by oil companies for fuels and biofuels. Over time, they started to produce clean alkylate fuels and aviation gasoline independently.
Warter Fuels produces its fuels in a production plant in Płock. For several years, about 70% of the production has been exported, mainly to European countries. The company from Płock is one of the most important suppliers of aviation gasoline for spark ignition piston engine planes in Central and Eastern Europe.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/warter-fuels-stawia-na-wlasne-paliwa-rajdowe-i-globalny-rozwoj-marki-warter-racing-10096
