Orlen goes it alone in bid to buy Unipetrol

Orlen was earlier said to have pondered placing a joint offer with Hungary's MOL, which is also very interested in acquiring the Czech company, as is Royal Dutch/Shell. By bidding on its own, however, Orlen could boost its value ahead of the possible merger with MOL, thus making the value of the two concerns comparable, (at present the Hungarian firm has a higher market value). For both companies the acquisition of Unipetrol is a step aimed at preventing possible competition and maintaining a strong foothold on their respective markets. (Gazeta Wyborcza, April 24-25., p. 30; Rzeczpospolita, p. B1) T.J.