“We always stock the Elbe with fish in Neratovice near the Spolana site in spring and autumn. This project was initiated in collaboration with the local fishing union. We were later joined by the ecological centre, which lets schoolchildren into the secrets of correct waste sorting and other significant activities,” Spolana’s Executive Miroslav Falta comments on the traditional event. He adds: “Regular fish stocking is a prerequisite for maintaining the aquatic ecosystem. The water purity around our production site is also regularly attested by the regular monitoring results and popular angling competitions.”

“We have released 500 kg of fish, with the prevalence of carp. The children could also see rudd, roach, and koi carp. We will be releasing predatory fish in autumn. Many endangered species of birds and amphibians live in Spolana’s surroundings. Thus, we can see it is a healthy environment and beneficial for nature,” summarises Vladimír Náhlovský, chairman of the Czech Fishing Union in Neratovice. Fish stocking is one of the multiple activities aimed at supporting the local environment. Spolana is also involved in care for the endangered peregrine falcons nesting directly on its premises. They also keep bees, whose honey annually receives top golden medals of quality.

Four graders from the primary school in Neratovice could watch the release despite the strict hygienic restrictions. They learned many interesting facts about the life of fish, what they eat and how to recognise them. “It is a nice event, mainly now, because children spend the morning in nature and learn about fish species. They also had a competition and barbecue. The children could see a fish ‘shoot-the-chute’, meaning the release of a large number of fish through a sleeve into the river,” says Kateřina Chalupová, a teacher from Ing. M. Plesinger-Božinov primary school in Neratovice.

SPOLANA a.s. is one of the largest chemical manufacturing companies in the Czech Republic. The only manufacturer of PVC and caprolactam also produces ammonium sulphate and sulphuric acid. It currently employs over 700 people. Spolana has been owned by Unipetrol since 2016. The Unipetrol Group is the largest refining and petrochemical company in the Czech Republic. It focuses on crude oil processing and production, distribution and sale of fuels and petrochemical products – mainly plastics and fertilisers. It is one of the major players in the Czech and Central European markets in all these areas. The Unipetrol group includes refineries and production plants in Litvínov and Kralupy nad Vltavou, Paramo with the Mogul brand in Pardubice and Kolín, the Spolana company in Neratovice, and two research centres in Litvínov and Brno. Unipetrol also includes the ORLEN Benzina petrol station network in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. With 420 outlets, Benzina ORLEN is the largest chain in the Czech Republic. With 13 sites in Slovakia, it is the fastest-growing network since 2019. Unipetrol is one of the largest companies in the Czech Republic in terms of turnover. In 2019, it earned CZK 129 billion and employed more than 4,800 people. In addition to its business development, ORLEN Unipetrol is proud to be a socially responsible corporation. Therefore, it pays an equal amount of attention to initiatives, focusing on the cultivation and support of sustainable development, education, local communities, and the environment. In 2005, Unipetrol became part of the PKN Orlen Group, the largest oil processor in Central Europe.

Contact details: Pavel Kaidl, spokesperson, telephone: +420 736 502 520, e-mail: pavel.kaidl@unipetrol.cz​