Chemical industry in the Czech Republic:

Petrochemie, plasty, gumárenství, konstrukční materiály
Kaučuk, a.s., Kralupy nad Vltavou
CHEMOPETROL, a.s., Litvínov
UNIPETROL, a.s., Kralupy n.Vltavou
Barum Otrokovice
Česká gumárenská a.s., Zlín
Fatra Napajedla
Gumotex Břeclav
Optimit Odry a.s.
Rubena a.s., Náchod
Silon, a.s., Planá n.Lužnicí
Technoplast, a.s., Chropyně
Vulkan a.s., Hrádek nad Nisou
Transform a.s., Lázně Bohdaneč (recyklace plastů)

Výroba obecných chemikálií
Lovochemie, Lovosice
Spolek pro chemickou a hutní výrobu a.s., Ústí nad Labem
Spolana, Neratovice
Merck, česká pobočka
Balakom, Opava
Barvy a laky s.r.o., Praha
Colorlak a.s., St.Město u Uh.Hradiště
Fosfa, Břeclav
DEZA, Valašské Meziřičí
AGA, Praha 8 Technické plyny
Druchema, Praha družstvo pro chemickou výrobu a služby
Ekochem Šorm, Praha
Hlubna v.d., Brno
Severochema, Liberec družstvo pro chemickou výrobu
Pragochema, Praha

Kvalifikovaná chemie a farmacie
Lachemaa.s., Brno
Lachemaa.s., Brno, záv. Neratovice
Lachema Brno, záv. Blansko
Foma, Hradec Králové
Bochemie, Bohumín
Crytur, Turnov
Draslovka a.s., Kolín
Synthesia, Pardubice-Semtín
Farmak, Olomouc
Profile: Unipetrol is a group of companies operating in the chemical industries sector in the
Czech Republic, primarily in crude oil processing,distribution of fuels, petrochemistry and
fertiliser production. In all of these fields,Unipetrol is a major representative of the given
industrial sector in the Czech Republic and in Central Europe. The Unipetrol Group includes
primarily the following:



Česká rafinérská (a joint venture with the multinational companies AgipPetroli,
Conoco and Shell) and Paramo, the largest Czech producers of motor fuels,
bitumens, lubricants and other products related to crude oil processing.
Chemopetrol, Kaučuk and Spolana,involved mainly in the production of
petrochemical products and plastics.
Benzina, the largest network of petrol stations in the Czech Republic.
The Group has the following affiliated members: Lovochemie, an important producer of
industrial fertilisers and other inorganic chemicals, Aliachem - a group of enterprises
involved in organic and inorganic chemistry and the processing of plastics and a number of
smaller distribution, service and research companies.
History:
The Unipetrol was founded in 1994 to bring together a selection of Czech petrochemical
companies to a grouping which would be able to compete with strong multinational concerns.
The majority stakeholder of the company is the Czech state, represented by the National
Property Fund.
The annual turnover of firms from the Unipetrol Holding is over then 60bn, which makes the
group one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic as well as the most prominent
exporters. In 2002, revenue from exports reached almost 37%.
Products:
Spolana, Neratovice
Spolana aims at production of chlorine especially for PVC and a lots of another chemicals which
need chlorine for their existence (for example sodium chloride, HCl) also liguid chlorine, 5 kinds
of suspenzive PVC. Spolana is a big producer of sulfuric acid or caprolactam, too.
Paramo
Paramo is the renowned manufacturer of fuels, automotive oils, machining, technological and
preservation agents, plastic lubricants, asphalt insulation products and road asphalts.
Kaučuk
Styrene-butadiene rubbers are produced under the name KRALEX. They are mainly used in the
rubber industry and boot and shoe industry and for the production of small household
accessories and sportswear. Liquid polybutadienes are produced under the name KRASOL; they
are widely used for example as a binder for granulates that are used for the production of
sports stadium and hall surfaces. In the building industry, the product found many applications.
KRASTEN is the trademark for standard high-impact polystyrene. KRASTEN found its
application primarily in the electrical engineering industry, consumer goods and food industry.
The expandable KOPLEN polystyrene has found its application primarily in the production of
shaped pieces, foils, blocks, and insulation boards, and generally in the construction industry.
FORSAN is the trademark for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer (ABS), which is used for
the production of interiors and exteriors in the car industry. Furthermore, FORSAN can be used
in the consumer goods and electrical engineering industry.
Chemopetrol
Ethylene – for production of PE,spirits,…in grocery to ripen fruits
Propylene – for PP and oxoalcohols…
PE – toys, bottles, folios,…
PP – dishes, pokos, toys, folios, textiles (bags), …
Synthetic spirit
Ammonia
Benzene
Profile:
IVAX Pharmaceuticals s.r.o. (previously also known under the business firms IVAX – CR a.s.,
Galena a.s., Galena s.p.) is a leading Czech pharmaceutical company which works with the one
hundred and twenty years long tradition of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the region of the
Opava city. It has a large portfolio of products.
The company doesn´t offer only human and veterinary medicinal products but also substances
and herbal extracts.
History:
This company has really a rich history. Everything started in 1869, when Gustav Hell, the later
founder of the factory, moved to Opava city. In 1883 the company was registrated in Bussines
register as “Gustav Hell und Company”. In 1885 the company bought the facilities of today´s
company from company “Glassner and company” and the real history of Galena started.
The factory was in huge development until WW1. then it had to cooperate with an Austria
company, which ensured expedition to Austria.
After WW2 the company had to start from beginning. The new start was in 1946.
In 1952 the concern was reorganized and got the name : Galena.
The complementary program for many years was production of Kofo –syrup as a basic material to
product Kofola.
The American IVAX Corporation with the seat in Miami, Florida, became the majority owner of
the company within the framework of privatization.
In 2001 Galena was renamed to Ivax.
Products:
Main orientation of the research work:



development of medicinal products and food supplements,
development of active pharmaceutical ingredients obtained by means of isolation from
herbal materials as well as by means of semi-synthetic modifications of natural
substances and by means of totally synthetic processes,
Development of biotechnological processes.
Antiseptics, disinfectants
Septonex®, cutaneous spray, solution
A lot of vitamins, cosmetics,…
Profile:
Research, development and production of antineoplastic agents and cardio-vascular drugs,
antivirotics for herpes virus infections, diagnostics and specialty chemicals.
History:
The Lachema Brno started to manufacture, finish and pack pure, laboratory and specialty
chemicals more than a half century ago. During 1950s Lachema became a major manufacturer of
analytical reagents and indicators, dyes for microscopy, sugars, amino acids and a range of other
chemicals and bio-chemicals.
1964 – was established The Institute of Pure Chemicals, which connected to several institutes,
known as Lachema
1999 – a new strong strategic partner – Pliva, multinational pharmaceuticals company, became a
majority stockholder
2000 – the name of company was changed into Pliva – Lachema
Pliva – Lachema aimed its strategy on generic preparations, especially cytostatics, support
therapy, qualified chemistry and selected diagnostics.
Products:
Pharmaceuticals
The research, development, production and sale of top quality medical products used in the
treatment of serious diseases such as - antineoplastic agents and cardiovascular drugs, and
antivirotics for the treatment of herpes virus infections
Diagnostics
Research, development, production and sale of diagnostic preparations for biochemical and
microbiological laboratories, for fast diagnostics at the surgery and for self-monitoring.
Chemicals:
The research, development, production and sale of active substances and their intermediates,
speciality chemicals based on adamantane and its derivatives
Synthesia:
-
Synthesia is a part of Aliachem, belonging to Unipetrol group, focused on the production of
cellulose derivates, pigments and dyes, and also advanced organic intermediates. It´s one of
the world´s largest nitrocellulose producers. Its customers are producers of colours, paper
and textile industry, agriculture industry, pharmaceuticals concerns, etc.
Vulkán
Profile:
VULKAN is among the leading European producers of latex goods. Its production
programme is made up of four fundamental elements, which mainly comprise the production
of condoms, examinational and surgical gloves, children’s pacifiers, and household rubber
gloves.
History:
1890 – The foundation of the Bohemian – Saxon factory for rubber products in Hrádek nad
Nisou
1938 – the factory was bought by Fridjof Peterson from Sweden
1942 – A new owner was a.s. Hans Scheibert , and the company got name Gummiwerke Grottau,
and it worked on wartime production of rubber belts, sealing for submarines and aeroplanes, etc
1950 – Vulkan
1969 – 1989 - The company became the monopoly producer in the field of condoms, children’s
pacifiers and proboscis, balloons and toys, surgical, household and technical gloves for the whole
of Eastern Europe
The history of the condom:
The first mention of a mechanical device that covered and adorned the male genitals dates back
to the year 1350 B.C. and comes from Ancient Egypt. The device mentioned, which resembles
today’s condom, was also used in Asian cultures. We cannot, however, speculate on a specific era
for Asian use. The first users in these lands were most probable the Celts.
The first evidence of actual condoms comes from 1564 A.D., when Italian doctor Pallopius
created a kind of sheath that was made of flax. This textile material was replaced with animal,
and particularly sheep gut during the 17th century. It was at this time that the name “condom”
was born.
Certain researchers say that the name originated thanks to an English doctor called Conton
(some sources specify the name Condom). This gentleman was the court doctor of the English
King Charles II. (1630-1685). Doctor Conton apparently handed out modified sheep gut to
members of the royal family and their entourage in order to protect them against sexual
diseases and the bearing of children out of wedlock. Indeed the doctor was rewarded for his
sterling work in caring for the welfare of the throne with an elevation to the ranks of the
nobility.
The French town of CONDOM also proudly claims credit for the naming of the condom. However,
this small town is affected by one major problem in that the sign bearing the name of the town
is always being lost to tourists and constantly in need of replacement. The thieving souvenir
hunters cannot even be discouraged by police patrols or taxpayers.