- The unit has a capacity of 30,000 tonnes a year, covering 75% of domestic demand.
- The PLN 400m project will add over PLN 50m to the Group’s annual EBITDA.
- Construction began in autumn 2019 and was completed on schedule by Technik Polska and Biproraf.
- The hydrogen hub will produce 350 tonnes of pure automotive-grade hydrogen annually.
Project Overview
ORLEN Południe has launched Poland’s first and Europe’s largest green propylene glycol production unit at its Trzebinia biorefinery. The unit has a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year, meeting 75% of domestic demand. This PLN 400m project will contribute over PLN 50m to the Group’s annual EBITDA.
Production and Applications
Green glycol, a high-margin bio-based product, is used in medicine, cosmetics, the food industry, and aviation as an anti-icing and de-icing agent. The Trzebinia plant will produce 30,000 tonnes annually, surpassing Europe’s only other unit in Belgium by 10,000 tonnes.
Hydrogen Hub
An integral part of the glycol complex is Poland’s first hydrogen hub, with an annual output of 16 Nm3. Seventy-five percent of this will be used for glycol production, while the remaining 25% will be purified into hydrogen fuel. The hub will produce 350 tonnes of pure automotive-grade hydrogen annually.
Construction and Employment
Construction of the green glycol project began in autumn 2019 and was completed on schedule by Technik Polska and Biproraf. The project has created several dozen jobs, adding to the company’s workforce of over 670, with more than half employed at the Trzebinia refinery.
Financial Performance
ORLEN Południe’s strategic projects are supported by a strong financial position. In the first nine months of 2021, the company posted revenue of approximately PLN 2.4bn, significantly higher than in previous years, with a record net profit of PLN 108m for the first three quarters.
