Spolana
A Czech basic-chemicals producer in Neratovice focused on PVC, fertilisers, chlor-alkali products, technical gases, and other inorganic chemicals.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Spolana is a Czech chemical manufacturer based on the Elbe riverbank at Neratovice. Its industrial identity was formed around large-scale inorganic chemistry, chlor-alkali production, fertilisers, PVC and related chemical materials. The company operates primarily as an export-oriented producer: according to the referenced company description, exports account for more than 80% of total production. Its product portfolio also includes technical gases and other chemical and inorganic products used by industrial, agricultural and manufacturing customers. The plant employs more than 700 people and is one of the important chemical production sites in the Czech Republic and the wider Central and Eastern European market. The industrial history of the Neratovice site predates the Spolana name. Commercial activity began in the late nineteenth century with a factory producing soaps, candles and oils. A further chemical plant was developed in 1905, while small-scale ammonium and fertiliser production appeared in the period from 1908 to 1915. Between the World Wars, parts of the complex were used for food processing and storage. The decisive transformation into a major chemical site began after the plant was acquired during the German occupation by Spolek pro chemickou a hutní výrobu, an association involved in chemical and metallurgical production. The association expanded output into pure chemicals, agricultural pest-control agents, automotive coatings, finishes and waxes, then developed chlorine and caustic-soda electrolysis and viscose staple-fibre production. Supporting infrastructure included steam generation, water treatment and a hydroelectric power facility on the Elbe. The site was nationalised in 1945 and separated under the Spolana name in 1950. During the state-owned period, the business incorporated or operated additional facilities, including sites at Křinec and Kralupy nad Vltavou. Laboratory-chemical operations were separated into Lachema Neratovice in the mid-1960s, while the remaining complex was modernised through investments in sulphuric acid, adhesives, wastewater treatment, caprolactam, chlorine electrolysis and PVC. The largest expansion phase occurred from 1970 to 1976, when new chlorine-electrolysis, sulphuric-acid and PVC units were constructed and older production technologies were retired or replaced. Spolana became part of the Unipetrol holding group from the end of 2001. Unipetrol itself became part of the Polish PKN Orlen concern in 2005. In November 2006, Unipetrol transferred its business share in Spolana to ANWIL, another company within the PKN Orlen group. The ownership arrangement was reversed in 2016, when Unipetrol RPA acquired ANWIL's 100% shareholding in Spolana. Since then, the company has continued within the Unipetrol and broader ORLEN group structure, with investments directed toward plant modernisation, energy efficiency and portfolio development. Recent documented development includes the introduction of a granulated ammonium-sulphate fertiliser in early 2018 and construction of a new natural-gas steam plant. The planned plant was designed around two boilers, each capable of producing 35 tonnes of steam per hour, replacing brown-coal boilers used by the complex. Spolana therefore combines the legacy of a large integrated chemical works with a contemporary role as a specialised supplier of PVC, fertilisers, chlor-alkali products and industrial gases. Its present positioning is that of an export-led Central European basic-chemicals manufacturer operating within a major regional energy and chemicals group.
History
Spolana's industrial site in Neratovice developed from several early manufacturing ventures. In 1898, V. B. Goldberg established a factory making soaps, candles and oils. A separate plant producing chemical agents was developed by František Šebor in 1905. Between 1908 and 1915, the locality also supported a smaller operation for ammonium and fertiliser production. During the interwar period, parts of the complex were used for food production and warehousing, including confectionery, preserved fish, mustard, soup seasoning, marmalade and chicory. The site's modern chemical character emerged after the German occupation of the borderland in 1939, when it was acquired by Spolek pro chemickou a hutní výrobu. The association expanded production of pure chemicals, agricultural pest-control agents, automotive paints, finishes and waxes. It also began developing an integrated chemical complex based on electrolysis for chlorine and caustic soda, together with viscose staple-fibre production. Supporting infrastructure constructed or expanded by the end of 1946 included a coal-fired steam plant, a water-purification station and a hydroelectric facility on the Elbe. In 1945, the association and its Neratovice operation were nationalised. The business separated under the name Spolana in 1950. Over subsequent decades, facilities at Křinec and Kralupy nad Vltavou were associated with the company. Laboratory-chemical production was separated into Lachema Neratovice in the mid-1960s. The remaining operations were modernised through the construction of a pyrite-based sulphuric-acid plant, a keratin-processing glue plant and a wastewater-treatment facility. Later projects added caprolactam production and expanded the Velvary branch. The most significant state-era expansion took place from 1970 to 1976. New units were built for chlorine production by electrolysis of imported salt, sulphuric acid and polyvinyl chloride. Older glue-production and chlorine-electrolysis units were subsequently closed. The period also brought major site infrastructure, including a 200-metre chimney and a 100-metre cooling tower. Other projects modernised staple-fibre production and added an Oestrophan plant. From late 2001, Spolana was part of the Unipetrol holding group. Unipetrol became part of the Polish PKN Orlen concern in May 2005. In November 2006, Unipetrol sold its business share in Spolana to ANWIL, which was also within the PKN Orlen group. In June 2016, Unipetrol reversed that arrangement: Unipetrol RPA acquired ANWIL's entire shareholding in Spolana. The company has since operated as a Unipetrol-group chemical producer. The post-2016 period included investments in plant modernisation and product-portfolio expansion. In early 2018, Spolana launched a granulated ammonium-sulphate fertiliser. It also began developing a natural-gas heating plant designed to supply steam to the complex. The project called for two boilers with capacities of 35 tonnes of steam per hour each, replacing the existing brown-coal boilers; completion was planned for 2019. Spolana's current industrial role is centred on PVC, fertilisers, technical gases, chlor-alkali products and other inorganic chemicals, with an export-oriented business model and a workforce reported at more than 700 employees.
- 2018
Granulated ammonium sulphate launched
[1]Spolana introduced a granulated form of ammonium sulphate fertiliser.
- 2018
Natural-gas steam plant project announced
[1]The company began developing a two-boiler natural-gas steam plant to replace brown-coal boilers.
- 2016
Spolana returns to Unipetrol
[1]Unipetrol RPA acquired ANWIL's 100% share in Spolana.
- 2006
Share transferred to ANWIL
[1]Unipetrol sold its business share in Spolana to ANWIL, another PKN Orlen group company.
- 2005
Unipetrol enters the PKN Orlen group
[1]Unipetrol became part of the Polish PKN Orlen concern.
- 2001
Joins the Unipetrol holding group
[1]Spolana became part of the Unipetrol holding group at the end of 2001.
- 1976
Completion of major 1970s expansion
[1]The principal construction phase for new chlorine, sulphuric-acid and PVC units was completed during the 1970–1976 development period.
- 1970
Major PVC and chlorine expansion begins
[1]A large development phase began, adding modern production units for chlorine electrolysis, sulphuric acid and PVC.
- 1960
Laboratory chemicals separated into Lachema Neratovice
[1]Laboratory-chemical production was separated from Spolana into a new company, Lachema Neratovice.
- 1950
Spolana becomes the operating name
[1]The company separated from its previous organisation under the name Spolana.
Products and positioning
Export-oriented Central European basic-chemicals supplier serving PVC, chlor-alkali, fertiliser, technical-gas and industrial-chemical markets.
Basic chemicals · 1970
PVC resin
Polyvinyl chloride is one of Spolana's central present-day product lines. It reflects the large-scale PVC production capacity added during the 1970–1976 expansion and positions the company as a supplier of a widely used thermoplastic for industrial and manufacturing applications. The referenced material identifies PVC as a principal focus of the current business, although it does not specify individual grades or branded product names.
Inorganic chemicals
Chlor-alkali products
Spolana's chlor-alkali activities are based on electrolysis technology developed at the site during its major twentieth-century expansion. The portfolio is associated principally with chlorine and caustic soda, chemicals used across industrial processing and chemical manufacturing. Chlorine electrolysis has been a defining element of the Neratovice complex since the pre-Spolana expansion period and remained part of its basic-chemicals orientation.
Fertilisers · 2018
Ammonium sulphate fertiliser
Ammonium sulphate is an agricultural fertiliser in Spolana's current portfolio. In early 2018, the company introduced a granulated form, extending the product's physical format for agricultural use. The fertiliser line connects Spolana's historical involvement in ammonium and fertiliser production with its modern export-oriented chemical business.
Industrial gases
Technical gases
Technical gases are among the products identified in descriptions of Spolana's present operations. They complement the company's inorganic-chemical and chlor-alkali activities and support industrial customers requiring gases for manufacturing or process applications. The available reference does not provide a detailed list of individual gases or associated trade names.
Inorganic chemicals
Sulphuric acid
Sulphuric-acid production formed part of the site's successive modernisation programmes. A pyrite-based plant was built during the state-owned period, followed by a newer sulphuric-acid unit during the 1970–1976 expansion. The product is part of the historical and industrial profile of the Neratovice complex, although the supplied reference does not separately confirm its current commercial availability.
Brand decisions
2018
Launch of granulated ammonium sulphateProduct launchBackground
Spolana sought to extend and modernise its agricultural-fertiliser portfolio.
Action taken
The company released a granulated form of ammonium sulphate fertiliser.
Aftermath
The product became part of the company's documented fertiliser offering; no further sales or market-share information is provided in the reference.
2018
Replacement of brown-coal boilers with natural-gas steam generationStrategyBackground
The chemical complex required a modernised steam-generation system for its operations, and the existing brown-coal boilers were targeted for replacement.
Action taken
Spolana began developing a natural-gas heating plant with two steam boilers, each designed for 35 tonnes of steam per hour. The project was planned for completion in 2019.
Aftermath
The project was intended to modernise site utilities and replace brown-coal-fired capacity. The supplied reference does not confirm final commissioning or later operating results.
Planned investment. 200 million CZK planned investment (2018 project announcement)
2016
Unipetrol RPA reacquires Spolana from ANWILM&ABackground
Spolana had been transferred from Unipetrol to ANWIL in 2006, although both companies belonged to the wider PKN Orlen structure. In 2016, Unipetrol RPA and ANWIL agreed to reverse that ownership arrangement.
Action taken
Unipetrol RPA acquired ANWIL's entire 100% shareholding in Spolana, returning the company to the Unipetrol group.
Aftermath
Spolana continued as a Unipetrol-group chemical producer and subsequently pursued plant modernisation and product-portfolio development.
Sources2 sources
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