Orlen Poludnie Brings Europe’s Largest Green Propylene Glycol Production Plant On-Stream

Poland’s leading refiner Orlen Poludnie, from the parent organisation PKN Orlen group, has commissioned a USD 100 million green propylene glycol production plant at the Trzebinia biorefinery. The unit is touted to be Europe’s largest and Poland’s first green propylene glycol manufacturing facility with 30,000 tonnes annual capacity which is 10,000 more than the only other plant of this kind in Belgium.

The plant shall cater to 75% of the domestic demand thereby adding USD 12.6 million to the company’s yearly EBITDA. The production complex that also houses Poland’s first hydrogen hub fortifies Poland’s resolute to reduce carbon emissions in Southern Poland. The new plant which began construction in the second half of 2019, has also contributed to providing jobs to a workforce of 670 people after its completion.

The green propylene glycol is a vital bio-based product that is typically used as a food additive for locking moisture and dissolving added colours and flavours. It is also used as a solvent in the medicine and cosmetics industries due to its low toxicity. The aviation sector utilizes propylene glycol as a de-icing agent.

As per ChemAnalyst, the bio-based propylene glycol demand has been at its high in the European region owing to its environmental friendliness. The project is expected to bring Orlen Porludnie to the forefront of the fast-growing biorefinery sector also strengthening its market competitiveness across the globe. The project will also play an integral role in establishing sustainability in the refinery sector.