Rompetrol Quality Control (RQC), the laboratory division of the KMG International Group (Rompetrol), is implementing an extensive modernization and equipment upgrade program—featuring state-of-the-art analytical instruments—at the laboratories of the Petromidia Năvodari and Vega Ploiești refineries.
Approximately 40 pieces of equipment are being acquired for the laboratories at the Petromidia Năvodari and Vega Ploiești refineries, as well as for Romania’s only petrochemical division.
“These investments mark a new stage of technological and operational development, enabling us to keep pace with advancements in the fields of automotive fuels, aviation fuels, bitumens, solvents, and petrochemical products. The entire operational chain relies on the efficiency and reliability of the results produced by RQC laboratories; therefore, it is essential to support our specialists’ work with modern equipment while adhering to the strictest international quality and safety standards,” stated Laura Munteanu, Interim General Manager of Rompetrol Quality Control.
The laboratories have been equipped with analytical instruments—including high-performance chromatographs designed for analyzing aviation fuel and other niche products—capable of delivering highly precise results for parameters that influence product performance, stability, and safety.
This technological lineup is complemented by ultramodern systems for identifying compounds such as sulfur, nitrogen, chlorine, and metals, as well as equipment for determining particle content, physical properties, and other key indicators. The new suite of instruments enables analyses to be performed with a superior level of precision, speed, and sensitivity—including for parameters present at very low concentrations—thereby ensuring high reliability for internal quality control processes, both for clients and regulatory authorities.
The integration of modern solutions allows for comprehensive, faster digital data management, workflow optimization, and expanded testing capacity; this provides laboratories with the flexibility needed to meet increasingly diverse market demands and to expand commercial partnerships with third-party companies.
Additionally, RQC operates a mobile laboratory that can travel to client sites to measure specific atmospheric pollutant emission indicators. Concurrently, the environmental laboratory offers a wide range of water, air, and soil testing services, in compliance with national and European requirements for monitoring environmental quality.
Rompetrol Quality Control is the only company in Romania capable of offering external clients (third-party companies) comprehensive testing services for gasoline and diesel—accredited by RENAR (the Romanian Accreditation Association)—as well as for Jet fuel containing SAF components; it is also certified by the Romanian Automotive Register for biodiesel testing.
As the country’s only petrochemical laboratory, it performs comprehensive, continuous monitoring of polymers in accordance with international testing standards and regulations for plastics intended for food contact, thereby guaranteeing a safe final product for consumers. The laboratory located at the Vega Ploiești site can perform the full range of tests for n-hexane—used as a polymerization solvent and as a food-grade solvent for vegetable oil extraction. Additionally, it can conduct detailed component analyses and the complete suite of tests for road bitumen.
Rompetrol Quality Control was established in 2004 following the gradual outsourcing of the petroleum product and environmental laboratories from the Petromidia and Vega refineries, and the subsequent integration of the petrochemicals laboratory. Initially structured as the laboratory division of the Group’s refineries, RQC rapidly expanded its operations nationwide.
Since its inception, the company has participated in numerous successful projects, gaining recognition from the Ministry of Energy for the national automotive fuel quality monitoring program and from the Ministry of Economy for determining sulfur content in liquid fuels.