Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen (PKN Orlen) history, profile and corporate video
Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen (PKN Orlen) is a multi-utility company headquartered in Płock, Poland. It engages in processing and trading of crude oil.
The company’s offer consists of refinery products, a wide variety of petrochemicals, and electrical energy, which is produced primarily using gas assets and renewable resources (hydro, wind and solar). It also invests in low- and zero-carbon hydrogen development projects based on renewable energy sources and municipal waste conversion technology
HISTORY
PKN Orlen’s origins date back to 1999 when Petrochemia Płock SA merged with Central Office of Petroleum Products (Centrala Produktów Naftowych; CPN). After the merger, the company was renamed Polski Koncern Naftowy (PKN, en: Polish Oil Concern), with Orlen added later as the consortium’s brand name.
As a result of research initiated in late 1999, from amongst over 1,000 proposals submitted, one name was selected – ORLEN. ORLEN name is derived from ORL- for “ORZEŁ” (Polish: eagle) and its adjective “orli”, and -EN for “ENERGIA” (Polish: energy).
In 2005, PKN Orlen acquired a majority stake in Czech Unipetrol.
In 2006, PKN Orlen acquired a majority share of 84.3% of Lithuania’s Mažeikių Nafta, the largest company in the Baltic states.
In 2013, the oil and gas company TriOil Resources Ltd was acquired.
In 2014, Birchill Exploration Ltd was acquired.
In April 2020, PKN Orlen acquired 80% of Energa shares. That year, Biozec was also acquired.
In November 2020, PKN Orlen acquired 65% of Ruch SA shares.
In December 2020, PKN Orlen acquired an agricultural biogas plant Bioenergy Project, which it will transform into a biomethane plant.
In 2020, Orlen also acquired the company Biozec, responsible for the sale and distribution of thermal energy supplied by the biogas plant.
In March 2021, Orlen acquired the media and press company “Polska Press”.
In July 2020, PKN Orlen announced its intention to take over PGNiG.
OPERATIONS
PKN Orlen operates through the following business segments: Fuels, Petrochemical, Energy, Natural Gas, Asphalt, Salt & Related Products, Solvents & Paraffins, Oils, Automotive Fluids & Chemicals, and Disinfectants.
Fuels
The Fuels segment includes motor vehicles fuels (petrol, diesel, autogas, BIOpaliwa), aviation fuels, marine fuels, and heating fuels.
Petrochemical
The Petrochemical segment involves aromas, olefins, polyolefins, plastics, glycols, fertilizers and others (acetone, ethylene oxide, masterbatch, advanced technical soot Chezacarb, caprolactam, soda lye and sodium hypochlorite). Orlen is considered one of the largest petrochemicals manufacturers in Central Europe.
Energy (electricity and heat)
The Energy segment deals with distribution and trading of electricity, distribution and trading of thermal energy, and connection of generating units (NC RFG). Orlen is considered one of the biggest electricity producers in Poland.
Natural gas
The natural gas segment focuses on the trading of natural gas.
Asphalt
The Asphalt segment consists of road bitumens, modified bitumens (more durable for heavy traffic), and highly modified bitumens (high durability).
Salt & related products
The Salt & related products segment includes food salt used in homes and in gastronomy, products for softening water, or products used in industry and agriculture.
Solvents & Paraffins
The Solvents & Paraffins segment consists of Solvents (white spirit, pharmacy gasoline, and toluene and xylene) and Paraffins (crystal, mixes, semi-paraffin, special waxes, antiozonants, and anti-caking agents).
Oils
The Oils segment involves base oils, oils for cars and motorcycles, truck oils, oils for shipping vessels, oils for industry, and oils for farmers.
Automotive fluids & chemicals
The Automotive fluids & chemicals segment offers complementary fluids and additives, radiator fluids, windscreen washer fluids, brake fluids, and car chemistry and cosmetics.
Disinfectants
The Disinfectants segment provides hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants.
BRANDS AND SUBSIDIARIES
- Orlen (Polish market petrol station brand);
- Star (German market petrol station brand);
- Unipetrol (Czech national petrol firm);
- Orlen Lietuva (Lithuanian market petrol station brand);
- Benzina (Czech and Slovak market petrol station brand).
With more than 20,000 employees and businesses in over 80 countries, Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen (PKN Orlen) is considered one of the largest oil refiners and petrol retailers in Central and Eastern Europe. According to Forbes, it is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World.
*Information from Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org, www.orlen.pl/en and www.orlenoil.pl.
**Video published on YouTube by “PKN ORLEN S.A.“.