Litvínov, 31. August 2011 – Unipetrol Doprava will increase safety of its rail tankers for ammonia transport by installation of 70 bumpers with crash modules. The new crash bumpers will improve prevention of major accidents related to transportation of chemicals. The project will be supported by the European Fund for Regional Development with a grant of CZK 8,5 million and by the State Environmental Fund with CZK 1,5 million.

The rail tankers are used by Unipetrol Doprava for transportation of ammonia from the plant to various customers and for ammonia imports from abroad. ”New crash bumpers prevent major accidents during transportation of chemicals. In case of accident, modules absorb large amount of energy without destruction of the goods being transported and decrease the risk of ammonia leakage up to 257%,“ said Miroslav Vlasák, Executive of Unipetrol Doprava.

Modernization of rail tankers represents substantial improvement in safety and environmental protection. Parameters of this project suit perfectly the Operational Programme announced by the European Fund for Regional Development, so the majority of necessary costs will be covered by grants.

Presumed completion of installation of 280 buffers to 70 tankers is scheduled in November this year. During the installation of buffers, each modernized rail tank will be certified by the Rail Authority, so it can be used for transportation of ammonia.

UNIPETROL, a.s.is a group of companies operating in the petrochemical industry in the Czech Republic. In 2005 UNIPETROL became a part of the PKN ORLEN Group, the largest oil processor in Central Europe. The UNIPETROL Group is oriented mostly towards oil processing, fuel distribution and petrochemical production. In all of these business areas the UNIPETROL Group is among the key players both in the Czech Republic and on the Central European market. The Group ranks among the leading firms in the Czech Republic in terms of its revenues, and employs almost 4,000 people.

Contact:
Mikuláš Duda
Press Department Manager
Telephone: +420 225 001 407, +420 736 502 520
E-mail: mikulas.duda@unipetrol.cz​