Nafta Polska to launch melamine production operations

Nafta Polska (NP) intends to establish a melamine production company. According to unofficial information, the capital of the new firm is to stand at zl. 1 billion and NP President Maciej Gierej has given assurances that sector and financial investors have already declared their willingness to participate in the enterprise. Another of NP's plans is to establish a company producing caprolactam (used in nylon production) to combine product complexes owned by nitrogen producers ZA Pulawy and ZA Tarnow which represents a real challenge both for NP and the management of the two companies. According to Gierej, Plock-based fuel concern PKN Orlen would like to invest in the integration of the chemicals sector, especially in OXO alcohols, owned by ZA Kedzierzyn, and caprolactam. "Currently we are re-establishing trade relations. PKN Orlen cannot sell propylene to ZA Kedzierzyn below cost. If a consensus is reached on this issue the two sides will launch formal talks on Orlen's participation in the project. Orlen would not like to limit itself only to trade as far as relations with the chemical companies are concerned," said Gierej. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) A.Z.