• In the production of protective equipment for healthcare, to limit the spread of COVID-19, polymers from Slovnaft are also used
• these are used in the manufacture of face masks, protective clothing or syringes
• petrochemical products are supplied by the company to the domestic market and abroad

Bratislava, April 29th, 2020 - In response to the proliferation of coronavirus, the demand for health protection has increased significantly this year. In their manufacture, polymers from Slovnaft are also used. Polypropylene and polyethylene from Bratislava refinery are suitable for the production of protective equipment against the spread of the disease COVID-19.

Slovnaft manufactures both types of polymers in the form of granules – small plastic balls. From these a wide range of products is produced, from packaging materials, toys, household and garden items to protective equipment. On the basis of customer requirements, experts in the company can advise which type of polymer is suitable for the desired product.

For example, in the production of protective equipment for healthcare and products intended for medical and pharmaceutical applications, the high chemical and mechanical purity of polymers is important as well as their consistent quality. Polymers must be free from unnecessary chemical additives, odorless and shall not contain any mechanical impurities. Their quality must comply with the legislation applicable to healthcare, for example the European Pharmacopoeia.

Polypropylene from Slovnaft is used by customers for the manufacture of non-woven textiles, from which medical protective equipment is subsequently produced: protective face masks, disposable protective clothing or components of respirators. Polyethylene and polypropylene have widespread use as packaging materials for pharmaceutical products.

The combination of polyethylene and polypropylene purchachers produce syringes and laboratory accessories for tests.

For the domestic market, Slovnaft adds roughly sixth of its production, the rest is exported abroad. The refinery covers demand in a radius of 1000 kilometres from Bratislava. The granules are to be exported packaged in bags or in cisterns. The largest customers are Germany, Poland and Hungary, the company exports to the Czech Republic, Italy, Romania, Ukraine, and the Balkan peninsula.

Products from polymers produced by Slovnaft and used in healthcare

• Slovnaft donates 1,000 liters of disinfectant every day to prevent the spread of coronavirus
• healthcare facilities, social service facilities, non-profit organizations or self-governments at www.slovnaftludom.sk can apply for disinfection

Bratislava, April 7, 2020 – An increased hygiene and frequent disinfection of premises are one of the basic preventive measures to combat the spread of coronavirus. As there is a shortage of these products on the market, the production of own disinfection started in March by the SLOVNAFT Group in the subsidiary VURUP. Its current production capacity makes it possible to provide part of the disinfection even where it is most needed.

Slovnaft donates 1,000 liters of Slovnaft Hygi Fluid disinfectant to sites that need to be protected from the risk of disease every day. Healthcare facilities, social service facilities, non-profit organizations or self-governments can all apply for disinfection for the purpose of disinfecting public areas through www.slovnaftludom.sk. The disinfection is then divided according to the requirements and agreed to take over.

“The donation of disinfection that we started to produce in Slovnaft complements our previous activities by which we help to manage the current crisis in Slovakia. Immediately after the outbreak of the pandemia, we bought lung ventilators for hospitals, introduced free-of-charge coffee for healthcare professionals at gas stations, and now we want to protect all those at risk with our products. Disinfectants are among the most wanted in demand, as evidenced by the huge demand across the region. Therefore, we want to ensure that disinfection reaches key public areas and we donate it every day to healthcare facilities, retirement homes or institutions or organizations that provide public space,” said CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SLOVNAFT, a.s., Oszkár Világi.

Slovnaft Hygi Fluid is a universal disinfectant for both surfaces and skin. The product is registered for normal use by the competent authorities.

Slovnaft is currently using disinfection for cleaning its own premises as well as at service stations. Disinfection was secured also for the Bratislava City Hall, which subsequently divided it into city facilities for seniors, organizations working with homeless people, city districts and cleaning of public transport vehicles. Slovnaft also provided disinfection to healthcare professionals, such as the National Cancer Institute, the Center for Interventional Neuroradiology and Endovascular Treatment and to the Emergency Line 155 (Operational Centre of the Emergency Medical Service of the Slovak Republic).

During April, the disinfection Slovnaft Hygi Fluid will gradually reach its wider sale within the network of Slovnaft service stations.

The disinfection is also produced by the parent company of Slovnaft, the MOL company, as well as INA in Croatia. All three companies belonging to the MOL Group aim to support the fight against the spread of coronavirus, protection of employees and maintaining supply reliability.

• Slovnaft began to preventively test its employees in the production zone for coronavirus
• More than 1000 people have been tested by PCR tests and all results were negative
• Testing is carried out at regular intervals and will be extended by serological tests

Bratislava, April 15, 2020 - Slovnaft refinery company started testing its employees before Easter for the disease COVID-19 caused by the new coronavirus. This is another measure to protect employees' health and ensure the operation of production. More than 1000 people have been tested so far, all tests were negative. In addition to PCR tests, serological blood tests will be added.

Slovnaft introduced strict measures to ensure high protection of employees from the very beginning of the epidemic. The use of effective respiratory and eye protection, increased hygiene, disinfection of hands and operating areas, measuring body temperature and reducing the number of employees to the minimum necessary have been among the standards in this refinery for several weeks. Conducting tests for the presence of coronavirus is another layer of our comprehensive employee protection system.

“Working in a refinery cannot be done from home, so testing employees who have been regularly coming to Slovnaft since the beginning of the pandemic is our natural responsibility. At the same time, as a strategic enterprise, we also have a responsibility towards the state and communities to deliver the necessary products in an emergency,” said Slovnaft CEO Gabriel Szabó.

During the testing, Slovnaft focuses on employees in the production zone, therefore those who are key to maintaining the business. Not only their own employees are being tested, but also long-term external suppliers, with whom employees come in regular contact. The aim of this measure is to prevent the spread of the virus by identifying those who do not have symptoms but who may endanger others.

Testing for Slovnaft is provided by a private laboratory. Testing is performed in the form of a PCR test carried out by nasal and throat sprays. More than 1000 people have been tested so far, all results were negative. In case of a positive finding, the refinery has prepared special procedures for immediate intervention to prevent the spread of the disease within the company and to maintain business continuity.

Slovnaft will repeatedly test employees every 8 - 10 days. Later, blood, serological tests will be added to the PCR tests, which will be done once a month. By combining these tests, the company can effectively manage different levels of employee health protection in relation to the current level of coronavirus infection risk.

The MOL refinery in Hungary, which, like Slovnaft, is part of the MOL Group, has also began with testing their employees this month.

• VÚRUP, a member of SLOVNAFT Group, started production of disinfection in March to protect against coronavirus spread
• disinfection called SLOVNAFT HYGI Fluid is used within the SLOVNAFT Group companies and at Slovnaft service stations
• Parent company MOL in Hungary and INA in Croatia also started to produce their own disinfection

Bratislava, March 25, 2020 - In March, VURUP, a member of SLOVNAFT Group, started producing its own disinfectant to protect against the spread of coronavirus. The product called SLOVNAFT HYGI Fluid is used for surface disinfection at service stations and companies belonging to the SLOVNAFT Group, and also for skin disinfection. It is made on the basis of ethanol and isopropanol and has already been registered by the competent authorities.

VURUP operates testing laboratories, engaged in geological research, R&D as well as the production of various special products. Shortly after the first cases of new coronavirus disease occurred, the company tested the production of its own disinfection and subsequently asked the authorities to register the product. At present, possible disinfection production is 8,000 liters, depending on the availability of feedstocks. VURUP packs it in one-, four- and ten-liter packages and is currently looking for distribution options to service stations and other locations.

“Slovnaft is a strategic company in Slovakia, for Slovakia and its inhabitants we provide a continuous supply of oil products. No less important to us is the protection of employees, therefore we use our own disinfection to prevent the spread of coronavirus. By using our product, we have also reduced commercial disinfection orders, which are now available for hospitals, pharmacies or other businesses, ” said Slovnaft CEO Gabriel Szabó.

The parent company Slovnaft, MOL, as well as INA in Croatia, started production of their own disinfection. All three companies belonging to the MOL Group aim to support the fight against the spread of coronavirus, protection of employees and maintaining reliability of supplies. The total production capacity in all markets is 100,000 liters of disinfection per day