Contradictory signals from Rafineria Trzebinia

Oil refinery Rafineria Trzebinia, owned by PKN Orlen, will invest zł. 300 million and finally resign from processing oil. For many years, refineries from the south of Poland were only viable thanks to numerous tax benefits and exemptions. From next year, these are to be scrapped and, "If this happens, then we will stop processing oil at the end of 2004. In the meantime we will conclude investments projects, allowing the company to operate for the next 15 years," said Rafineria Trzebinia president Grzegorz Ślak. Among the projected investments is the construction of installation for the production of elements for bio-fuels and paraffin, as well as extending a pipeline from Boronów to Trzebinia. "The latter project will be supplemented by a plan to allow Trzebinia to manage 170 gas stations belonging to Orlen in the south of the country," added Ślak. In general, analysts evaluate the investments positively. (Puls Biznesu, June 20-22, p. 5) M.M.