Rompetrol Rafinare, the operator of the only petrochemicals division in Romania, has started the production of a new polymer assortment - Random Copolymer Polypropylene, the result of a strategic technological process, aimed at diversifying the product portfolio and meeting the growing 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. This is a major step forward for our company, which will bring significant progress to the petrochemicals division, the only one in the country, a real support for major industrial sectors in Romania”said Sorin Graure, CEO of Rompetrol Rafinare.
The copolymer is produced in the Polypropylene (PP) plant, which required a series of major technical adaptations and reconfigurations. The process included detailed equipment configuration, testing and adjusting systems so that production parameters were optimized for the new product and to ensure high quality standards.
To produce the copolymer, the classic raw material - propylene - is used, to which ethylene is added in varying proportions, depending on the type and final application. The inclusion of ethylene (a high quality raw material, available only through imports) requires a high degree of care and training from dedicated plant personnel, with raw material calibration being essential to obtain a compliant product.
The new assortment differs significantly from recurrently produced polymers in that it offers improved physico-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 produce 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, crates and packaging for refrigerated products. Both the copolymer and the other assortments produced by Rompetrol Rafinare and used by manufacturers comply with all EU food safety rules.
The copolymer is also used in the production of general purpose injection molded articles - where an optimal balance between rigidity and flexibility is required - or in the manufacture of caps and closures for packaging.
During the initial production tests at the end of February, the plant made about 187 tons of copolymer, with production estimates of 11,000 tons/year.
The petrochemicals division processed 114 thousand tons of raw materials (propylene and ethylene) in 2025, up from 2024, on the back of the restart of the low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant after a one and a half year hiatus.
Thus, a total polymer production of 85 thousand tons was achieved in 2025, mostly directed to the domestic market, under optimized operation to balance customer demand and improve financial results.
As the only supplier of polypropylene and polyethylene in Romania, the petrochemicals division continued to ensure the flow of raw materials needed by the industries, keeping many branches of national production in operation.
With this project, Rompetrol Rafinare strengthens its position in the petrochemicals market and reaffirms its commitment to develop 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%).