Press Releases

The company is commiting to be an example, to respect and appreciate diversity and to protect its employees from discrimination without compromise.

The Slovnaft Group has signed up to the Diversity Charter, which integrates the principles of diversity and inclusive approach into business strategy and decision-making processes at all level of corporate governance.

Respecting diversity means creating a space for mutual respect, trust and for building relationships not only with employees, but also with suppliers, shareholders, business partners and clients of the company.

“Diversity in Slovnaft is not just a simple sexes differentiation for us. Our company's strategy in the diversity area stands on four pillars – gender and age diversity, varied benefit system and cooperation with disadvantaged people,” says Gabriel Szabó, CEO of the company. “Apart from that, diversity of ideas is also important for us. Now, in the time where we have to step out of stereotypes, our comfort zone, this is the area that is taking the business forward. ”

The Slovnaft GROUP supports diversity in the company on a long-term basis – the company actively supports seniors – former employees of Slovnaft associated in the retirement club in their sport and cultural activities. Another example of diversity are five language versions – Slovak, English, Hungarian, Polish and Roma – of information leaflets used during this year's turnarounds. As a member of the MOL Group, Slovnaft also participates in the FEMP scholarship program (Female Engineering MOL Program), which aims to bring diversity into the oil business, which is traditionally dominated by men.

The Diversity Charter is a voluntary initiative supported by the European Commission together with the European Platform for Diversity Charter, which promotes the propagation and sharing of principles, good practice and experience on the subject of diversity management in the European Union countries.

Information on suspension of trading: Majority shareholder, company MOL Nyrt., which has exercised the right of squeeze-out pursuant to § 118i of the Act on securities and investment services has also in line with this Act requested the Central Depository of Securities of the Slovak Republic for suspension of trading with shares of SLOVNAFT, a.s. The Central Depository of Securities has accepted the request of the shareholder and this suspension of trading of all emisions of shares is in effect as of 25.10.2019. In case of any questions, please contact vykupakcii@slovnaft.sk

• the largest cafe network Fresh Corner is already at 200 Slovnaft service stations
• over 8 million cups of coffee are sold at Fresh Corner stores every year
• large coffee with milk and traditional espresso are the customers´ favorites

Bratislava, 22 October 2019 - Fresh Corner, the largest cafe network in Slovakia, is already a part of 200 Slovnaft service stations. Fresh Corners sell more than eight million cups of coffee per year, the favourites for their customers are large coffee with milk and traditional espresso. Until the end of this year, another two dozen of Fresh Corner stores will be added at Slovnaft service stations.

Fresh Corner brand is a part of Slovnaft service stations since July 2015, when the first stores were opened in Záhorská Bystrica, Lučenec and Vyšný Kubín. Since then the amount of the cafes gradually increased and today the customers can visit Fresh Corner cafe at almost every (80%) service station of Slovnaft network.

“Since 2015, we have invested EUR 90 million in the modernization and rebuilding of our service stations network, more than half of it were expenses on Fresh Corner. As a result, today we are not only the largest service stations network in Slovakia, but also a number one regarding to refreshments on the road,” says Slovnaft CEO Gabriel Szabó.

More than 8 million cups of coffee are sold at Fresh Corner stores per year. Usually, the large coffee with milk or traditional espresso are the first choices for our customers – together nearly 2.5 million cups of them are sold. The key ingredient in coffee making is the coffee bean.

“At Fresh Corner, our coffee is 70 percent arabica and 30 percent robusta. This blend was tasted by the first class baristas and customers before its launching. They chose from 40 different mixtures,” says the head of Slovnaft Retail Timea Reicher. Thanks to its balanced proportion of the blends, Fresh Corner coffee is tailored to the Italian type of roasting and suitable not only for the preparation of an Italian espresso, but also cappuccino or latte.

When selling the coffee, having always fresh, prepared from carefully selected coffee beans delicious and balanced taste of your coffee are the most important features. Therefore, within the Fresh Corner stores, the coffee is prepared from low-mineral water, always from the same milk and coffee beans. Customers can enjoy the coffee made by barista or they can prepare it themselves – on Franke self-service machines. They can choose from 19 types of coffee in three different sizes.

Fresh Corner stores also offer baked sweet and savory pastries and fast food. Fresh vegetable, fruit salads or smoothies are also available at selected service stations. Since 2017, this gastro concept includes the Fresh Corner Restaurant.

Slovnaft among the most valuable Slovak brands. In a Profesia survey, Slovnaft was the winner in the Production and Industry category, awarded the title of the Most Attractive Employer for 2017 and 2018. The SLOVNAFT Group is a member of the international MOL Group.

• The Extraordinary General Assembly of Slovnaft approved today the transfer of shares of minority shareholders to MOL Nyrt.
• MOL will pay EUR 85 to minority shareholders for each share following the share transfer

Bratislava, 10th October 2019 –The Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders of SLOVNAFT, a.s., approved today the transfer of shares held by minority shareholders to MOL Nyrt. The sole shareholder of the Bratislava refinery and the largest fuel retailer in Slovakia will be the international oil and gas MOL Group, which has so far controlled Slovnaft's 98.72% share.

MOL announced its intention to increase its share in Slovnaft in April and subsequently offered shareholders an option of selling their shares as part of a voluntary buyout offer. The aim was to simplify and rationalize the ownership structure of the Slovnaft. In August, MOL announced that it intends to exercise the right to squeeze-out minority shareholders' shares in accordance with legislation, which was approved by the National Bank of Slovakia in September, including its terms and conditions.

Based on today's decision of the Extraordinary General Assembly, the shares will be transferred to MOL and minority shareholders will be paid EUR 85 for each share. The price was determined on the basis of the criteria set out in the Securities Act, whereas MOL Nyrt. had to offer the highest price according to these criteria. The amount to be paid to the shareholders by the majority shareholder has already been deposited at a bank. Minority shareholders will be paid for Slovnaft shares via bank transfer or postal orders.

MOL entered Slovnaft in 2000 at first as a strategic partner and in the following years increased its share to more than 98%.

• the second part of the planned turnarounds will start at the Slovnaft refinery in October
• the company will shut down the petrochemical part of the refinery for about eight weeks
• part of investments in the amount of more than EUR 37 million is also a project of reduction of nitrogen oxides' emissions

BRATISLAVA, 9 October 2019 – Slovnaft continues to maintain and modernize its production facilities in the autumn. The company will gradually shut down the petrochemical part of the refinery as part of its turnarounds from Thursday, with its re-launch scheduled for early December. The aim of the works during the turnarounds and technological breakdowns is also emission reduction.

The technical condition inspection and maintenance of facilities as well as their modernization will be taking place during turnarounds. Slovnaft's total investment in the second part of this year's turnarounds will reach EUR 37.6 million. Part of the work is to reduce nitrogen oxides' emissions by half in one of the production units so that the refinery meets the requirements of European legislation. The expenses to reduce these emissions will reach EUR 5 million.

The works during turnarounds may be accompanied by combustion on gas-burners, increased noise levels and odour formation. Slovnaft's goal is to reduce the negative impact of the activities that reduce the comfort of residents around the refinery to the bare minimum. Slovnaft will continuously inform about the impact of the work on the comfort of inhabitants on the website www.slovnaft.sk/gr2019. Information for the public will be updated weekly, in case of questions, a 24-hour information line is available at 02/4055 8929 and e-mail address gr2019@slovnaft.sk.

In the first half of the year, turnarounds were carried out in the refinery part of Slovnaft, namely in 21 production units. Almost 2,000 external workers participated in the historically biggest shutdowns of the refinery, in addition to SLOVNAFT Group employees. A number of new projects have been undertaken during the overhauls, and they are expected to contribute to a more efficient, reliable and safe refinery operation. Total investment within the first part of the turnarounds amounted to EUR 75 million.

• MOL may buy out shares from Slovnaft´s minority shareholders
• price per share will reach EUR 85
• the execution of the squeeze-out right will be discussed on extraordinary general meeting of Slovnaft

Bratislava, 9 September 2019 - National Bank of Slovakia approved MOL's proposal to buy out shares of Slovnaft. The price per share was set at EUR 85. The price was determined in accordance with legal regulations and approved together with the terms and conditions of the purchase by the National Bank of Slovakia. The total consideration has already been deposited by MOL at the bank.

With the approval of the NBS, MOL has become entitled to request SLOVNAFT, a.s. to convene an extraordinary general meeting to exercise the squeeze-out right.

By purchasing shares from minority shareholders MOL wants to simplify and rationalize the ownership structure of Slovnaft and thus simplify corporate governance. Before deciding on squeezer-out, the company offered the option to sell its shares to minority shareholders as part of a voluntary offer. MOL Group currently owns 98.72% of Slovnaft's shares.

• Slovnaft refinery after completing planned turnarounds on 21 production units is in full operation again
• the modernization and maintenance work required an investment of over EUR 75 million
• maintenance work will continue on three petrochemical units in the autumn

Bratislava, 27 August 2019 – Slovnaft refinery has completed its historically largest turnarounds on 21 production units. After modernization and maintenance is the refinery in full operation again. Maintenance on three other petrochemical production units in the refinery will follow in the autumn.

This year’s regular turnarounds have finished in the summer, they were the largest in the history of the refinery. SLOVNAFT Group employees and almost 2,000 external workers participated in their preparation and following maintenance and inspection. Total investments on the turnarounds reached EUR 75 million.

Several new projects were also implemented during the regular turnarounds. They are expected to contribute to the more efficient, reliable and safe operation of the refinery.

Almost 1000 larger and smaller tasks is planned during turnarounds in autumn. This will mostly involve maintenance and inspection, as well as activities resulting from legislative requirements. Part of projects will focus on reducing nitrogen emissions into atmosphere and on modernization as well.

Slovnaft will continue reporting on the impact of the turnarounds on the residents on the website www.slovnaft.sk/gr2019, as well as the 24-hour infoline and e-mail gr2019@slovnaft.sk will be available for questions.

• net profit of SLOVNAFT, a.s., for 2018 in the amount of EUR 106.22 million will be transferred to retained earnings, the company wants to use the funds for massive investments
• General Assembly re-elected Oszkár Világi as Chairman of the Board of Directors

Bratislava, 22 August 2019 - The Annual General Meeting of SLOVNAFT, a.s., shareholders decided today that the 2018 net  profit of EUR 106.22 million will be allocated to retained earnings. Dividends will not be paid out to the shareholders this year.

The shareholders also discussed the Company's annual report and approved the individual and consolidated financial statements for 2018. By transferring last year's profit to the retained earnings, the company wants to secure finance for massive investments in the near future.

“Slovnaft will invest heavily in the replacement of many production assets and in particular to prepare them for the gradual adjustment of the production portfolio due to the expected long-term decline in the use of motor fuels in transportation. We expect to invest EUR 200 to 300 million each year over the next five years,” said CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SLOVNAFT, as, Oszkár Világi.

The Company's Annual General Meeting elected Oszkár Világi as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He will be at this position for the third term. Richard Austen, CEO of MOL Czech Republic, was elected as a new member of the Company's Supervisory Board.

Slovnaft's majority shareholder is the international oil and gas MOL Group with a 98.72% stake, while the other shareholders hold 1.28% of the shares.

• Slovnaft is the first industrial entity in Slovakia to disclose data taken from its air quality monitoring stations
• Since July, the data have been available on the website of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) at www.shmu.sk/sk/?page=1&id=oko_imis
• Slovnaft’s decision is a result of public discussions on air quality between the refinery and the surrounding boroughs

Bratislava, 11 July 2019 – Slovnaft has decided to make available air quality data taken from its measuring stations. This step is a response to the requests of communities living in the vicinity of the refinery and the company has provided them with a platform for the monitoring of substances in real time and from the comfort of their homes. The general public, including inhabitants of the surrounding boroughs, can find all data on the website of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ).

Slovnaft uses three monitoring stations to monitor the quality and purity of air in its surroundings. The stations are located in Bratislava’s boroughs of Ružinov – Vlčie hrdlo and Podunajské Biskupice, and in the village of Rovinka. Monitored data have been used especially for the needs of the refinery; SHMÚ has used them to assess air quality and to inform the public. After a public discussion was held with communities from the surrounding boroughs, Slovnaft became the first company in Slovakia to publish data online in cooperation with SHMÚ.

″Slovnaft understands that inhabitants living in the vicinity of the refinery need to have access to information on air quality. As a responsible neighbour, we have responded to this call and published data from our monitoring stations via SHMÚ’s website,″ said Dušan Ronec, Manager at the Environmental Protection Department.

″Publishing Slovnaft’s data is the first significant step forward to increase the awareness of inhabitants of the neighbouring parts of the city on air quality in real time. Since the beginning of July, we have access to air quality data from anywhere and at any time,″ said Veronika Basta, Municipal Deputy in the village of Rovinka, who is also one of the initiators of public discussions on the topic of air purity and quality.

Slovnaft has been proactively notifying of any activity with a potential impact on the surrounding boroughs and villages in advance on its website, via email, social networks and face-to-face meetings. The company’s responsible approach includes Good Neighbour, a grant program within which Slovnaft supports community projects developed by locals and organisations operating in the vicinity of the refinery.

Slovnaft plans to modernize its monitoring stations in the near future and add other pollutants to the monitored substances. The company has become a member of a working group for air protection of the city of Bratislava, where it will cooperate with representatives of the municipal administration and other organizations to launch an integrated program aimed at improving air quality in the capital.