Slovnaft inaugurates Euro 300 mn LDPE unit in Slovakia

Slovnaft, a member of MOL Group, has inaugurated a new facility, LDPE4, for the production of low density polyethylene (LDPE) in Slovakia. The company has invested more than Euro 300 million in units with the latest technology and other petrochemicals components which include reconstruction of steam cracker, construction of a logistics infrastructure and other technology.

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The production unit is capable of producing new types of higher quality polyethylene with minimal emissions, greater operating security and lower energy consumption. The LDPE4 will replace all Slovnaft’s previous operations in polyethylene production. Annual low density polyethylene production capacity will increase by 40,000 tonnes to 220,000 tonnes, mainly to be sold in foreign marketplaces. Slovnaft not only exports polyethylene to neighbouring countries such as the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria but also to demanding West European markets including Germany, France and Italy.

  “This new production unit improves our competitiveness and offers the chance to further expand to new markets. It also means long-term stability for the region in which we operate, for our employees and also for hundreds of our suppliers and clients,” said Oszkar Vilagi, chairman and CEO of Slovnaft.
 
After completion of construction, technology testing, start-up and guarantee tests will run up to the end of November. Commercial production will then start at the beginning of 2016. The production unit will produce a plastic granulate which is further processed by customers to produce end products. Low density polyethylene is the basic feedstock of a wide range of products such as food and agricultural wrapping, toys, insulation, medical and hygiene aids as well as many materials used in construction and motor vehicle manufacture.