Orlen Halts Czech Refinery Operations Following Discovery of Unexploded WWII Bomb

On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 21, an unexploded World War II-era bomb was discovered during excavation work in a remote section of the chemical complex in Záluží near Litvínov. The site is currently being secured by experts from the Czech Republic Police, along with the internal fire brigade and the fire brigade of the Ústí nad Labem Region. Authorities are handling the situation with caution to ensure the safety of the area and the surrounding community.

Following consultations with the Czech Republic Police, The Company have implemented precautionary measures by initiating an immediate safe shutdown of all production and energy units within the refinery section of the complex. Additionally, all employees in the affected area have been evacuated to ensure their safety. Production in this part of the facility will remain suspended until further notice. These steps are being taken to mitigate any potential risks associated with the discovery of the unexploded World War II bomb, prioritizing the safety of their workforce and the surrounding community.

On Wednesday, 582 workers were evacuated from the site following the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb. Currently, 227 personnel are actively involved in ensuring a controlled and safe shutdown of production. Other employees have been instructed to work from home until the situation is fully resolved. The petrochemical section of the plant, however, remains operational for the time being. In response to the situation, the Czech Police have closed a section of the I/27 road adjacent to the production plant, along with nearby tram and railway lines. These closures will remain in effect until the production units are safely shut down.

The refinery is expected to restart operations once the unexploded bomb is safely removed from the site, a process that the Czech Police estimate will be completed no earlier than Wednesday, 28 August. The Company sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the traffic restrictions and the audio-visual effects associated with the shutdown.

ORLEN Unipetrol is a leading Czech refining and petrochemical company, dominating the domestic market and holding a significant presence in Central Europe. The company's core operations include crude oil refining, fuel production, and the manufacturing of petrochemical products, particularly plastics and fertilizers.

With a comprehensive network of refineries, production plants, and research centers across the Czech Republic, ORLEN Unipetrol possesses a strong industrial footprint. Its extensive operations encompass the Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou refineries, the Paramo plant in Pardubice, Spolana in Neratovice, and REMAQ in Otrokovice.  ORLEN Unipetrol operates a vast network of petrol stations under the ORLEN Benzina brand in the Czech Republic and the ORLEN brand in Slovakia and Hungary.

Beyond its commercial success, ORLEN Unipetrol is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility. The company actively supports sustainable development initiatives, educational programs, local communities, and environmental protection. In 2005, ORLEN Unipetrol became a strategic part of the ORLEN Group, a prominent oil refiner in Central Europe, further solidifying its position as a regional industry leader.