Rompetrol Rafinare, the operator of the only petrochemical division in Romania, has started the production of a new polymer assortment – Polypropylene Random Copolymer, the result of a strategic technological process, aimed at diversifying the product portfolio and responding to the increased demand from the automotive and food industries.
“By developing this new assortment, we are responding to the growing demand for premium polymers on the Romanian and regional markets. It is a major step taken by our company, which will bring significant progress to the petrochemical division, the only one in the country, a real support for major industrial sectors in Romania”, declared Sorin Graure, General Manager of Rompetrol Rafinare.
The copolymer is produced in the Polypropylene (PP) facility, which required a series of major technical adaptations and reconfigurations. The process included detailed equipment configuration, testing and system adjustment, so that production parameters are optimized for the new product and to ensure high quality standards.
The copolymer is produced using the classic raw material – propylene – to which ethylene is added in variable proportions, depending on the grade and the final application. The inclusion of ethylene (a high-quality raw material, available exclusively through imports) requires a high degree of attention and training from the dedicated staff of the facility, with the calibration of the raw material being essential in obtaining a compliant product.
The new assortment is significantly differentiated from recurrently produced polymers by the fact that it offers improved physical and mechanical properties, especially at low temperatures. This superior performance makes it suitable for applications with high technical requirements.
The automotive industry is the main consumer, using the copolymer to obtain products with high strength and flexibility. Significant volumes are also used in the food industry, as well as in special applications where advanced technical characteristics are required.
In the food industry, this type of assortment is used for boxes, casseroles and packaging for refrigerated products. Both the copolymer and the other grades produced by Rompetrol Rafinare and used by manufacturers comply with all EU food safety regulations.
At the same time, the copolymer is used in the production of general-purpose injected objects – where an optimal balance between rigidity and flexibility is required, or in the manufacture of caps and closure systems for packaging.
During the initial production tests carried out at the end of February, the facility produced approximately 187 tons of copolymer, with production estimates of 11,000 tons/year.
In 2025, the petrochemical division processed 114 thousand tons of raw materials (propylene and ethylene), an increase compared to 2024, due to the restart of the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) facility after a one-and-a-half-year break.
Thus, in 2025, a total polymer production of 85 thousand tons was achieved, directed mostly to the domestic market, under optimized operation conditions to balance customer demand and improve financial results.
As the only supplier of polypropylene and polyethylene in Romania, the petrochemical division continued to ensure the flow of raw materials necessary for the profile industries, keeping numerous branches of national production in operation.
Through this project, Rompetrol Rafinare consolidates its position on the petrochemical market and reaffirms its commitment to developing innovative products, adapted to the current requirements of the industry.
The significant shareholders of Rompetrol Rafinare are KMG International (54.63% – directly and indirectly) and the Romanian State, through the Ministry of Energy (44.7%).