The Łukasiewicz Research Network and ORLEN have signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at energy transition, the development of modern industrial technologies, and the creation of innovative solutions for the Polish economy. The collaboration will cover the petrochemical and energy sectors. Łukasiewicz’s staff will help solve technical and technological problems related to, among other things, decarbonization and the development of advanced materials and chemical products.
The agreement establishes a framework for further developing ORLEN’s cooperation with the Łukasiewicz Research Network and for effectively leveraging the Network’s knowledge and research infrastructure in joint projects. In June of this year, construction of the Mościcki Campus on the grounds of the Łukasiewicz Institute of Industrial Chemistry, valued at 240 million PLN, was completed. One of the three research and development centers at the Warsaw-based Institute specializes in the development of low-emission technologies, which addresses the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in ORLEN’s strategy through 2035.
“The effectiveness of the energy transition depends on the ability to apply new technologies on an industrial scale. That is why we want the specific needs of our business to serve as the starting point for our joint efforts. In partnership with the Łukasiewicz Research Network, we aim to combine an industrial perspective with our partner’s scientific and research expertise and jointly develop solutions with real implementation potential. “This is how we understand the role of innovation at ORLEN—as a means of supporting the achievement of business goals and the energy transition,” says Sławomir Radoń, Executive Director for Strategy and Innovation at ORLEN.
The agreement will be implemented by all 22 Łukasiewicz institutes, whose synergy will allow for the expansion of the existing cooperation between individual institutes in the Network and ORLEN. To date, this cooperation has included, among other things, hydrogen technologies, the production of bio-components for motor fuels, the development of advanced polymer materials, and processes for refining production streams.
The Łukasiewicz Research Network has identified specific opportunities for further cooperation in the areas of process and product innovation for environmentally friendly chemistry, energy transition, and the circular economy, including chemical recycling. Beyond traditional areas of chemistry, Łukasiewicz offers ORLEN additional synergies in process modeling and optimization, autonomy and automation for logistics, and advanced materials.
“Łukasiewicz’s strategic partnerships help large companies find solutions that will increase the efficiency of production processes in the future, which directly translates into business results. Importantly, thanks to this partnership, the Network’s institutes can plan their research from an early stage to address market needs,” explains Wiesław Skwarko, Vice President of the Łukasiewicz Center. “The scale of ORLEN’s operations opens up new areas where the work of our scientists will lead to implementations in sectors critical to the nation. The goal is the security and technological independence of the Polish economy,” adds the vice president of Łukasiewicz.
The agreement aligns with 3 of the 4 strategic priorities of the Łukasiewicz Research Network set for 2025–2034: chemistry for industry, energy transition, and the circular economy
