ORLEN Południe sets $197m for rapeseed processing plant in Kętrzyn

ORLEN Południe, affiliated with the ORLEN Group, has secured a contract for a pioneering rapeseed processing plant construction in Kętrzyn, Province of Olsztyn. This initiative, backed by an investment of about PLN 850 million ($197 million), eyes the processing of half a million tonnes of rapeseed every year. The goal? A massive 200,000 tonnes of oil designed for low-carbon biofuel creation.

Plant Infrastructure and Execution Timeline

Nestled in a region known for its agricultural potency, the Kętrzyn plant will have diverse processing hubs, ranging from raw material reception to wastewater treatment. Polimex Mostostal S.A. and AB Industry S.A., a consortium, will lead the project. Construction is set to roll out in early 2024, wrapping up around mid-2026.

Collaborative Drive with Polish Farmers

Daniel Obajtek, ORLEN’s CEO and President of the Management Board, voiced the company’s strategy: ‘We have an ambitious strategy to advance our biofuel production capabilities…The ORLEN Group is dedicated to creating a conducive environment for sustained collaboration with Polish farmers, guaranteeing them a reliable outlet for the cultivated products.’

Biofuel expansion: ORLEN Group to process 500k tonnes of rapeseed annually. Photo courtesy of ORLEN.

Notable Regional Impacts

The pressing plant will serve as a vital economic spur for the locale, opening up over 100 job vacancies. Moreover, the end product will adhere to ORLEN Group’s stringent quality checks, with ORLEN Południe being the main consumer via its biodiesel unit in Trzebinia.

Expanding the Biofuel Horizons

Further spotlighting ORLEN’s drive to partner with Polish agriculturists, another green endeavor is afoot: a second-generation bioethanol plant at Jedlicze. A pioneering move in Poland, this plant will lean on non-food raw materials, predominantly straw, bought from Polish farmers.

Why This Matters

These bio-components, when added to fuels, pivot our dependency from petroleum, nurturing energy freedom. ORLEN’s vision for 2030 envisions bio-additive usage touching about 3 million tons annually. ORLEN Południe has also forayed into producing bio-additives and has been pivotal in bringing hydrogen tech to the fore.