Polish oil refiner Orlen SA is building a 30,000 metric tons per year propylene glycol and glycerol plant at its refinery in Trzebinia near Katowice.
The project is part of the Orlen Groups 300 million zloty (U.S. $78 million) capital plan to diversify its product portfolio by offering products for a wider range of industries, including pharmaceuticals. The plant is now under construction and scheduled to start streaming in 2021.
In its July 2 news release, the company said workers have completed the shell of the building, which is located on a 28 acre plot.
Orlen said the project will make it the first producer in Poland of propylene glycol and glycerol products. Propylene glycol is a common ingredient in resins, cosmetics, paints, detergents and antifreeze. It can also be used for production of polyglycols for use in hydraulic and brake systems to provide lubricity and protection against freezing, and to help reduce swelling of rubber parts.
Propylene glycol, along with dipropylene glycol, is also used in cutting oils. Diethylenetriamine is used to make lubricant additives, and ethylenediamine is used to make corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and fungicides.
The new facilitys opening will result in approximately 40 new jobs.
Headquartered in Krakow, Orlen operates lubricant blending plants in the Polish cities of Plock, Trzebinia and Jedlicze.
Courtesy of Orlen SA
