SPOL CHEMIE opens ZEBRA, a new plant for next-generation fluorochemical precursors

SPOL CHEMIE (Spolek prochemickou a hutní výrobu, akciová společnost) was founded in 1856 and this year proudly celebrates its 170th anniversary.

The company also celebrated the official opening of its latest state-of-the-art production facility. This new production unit, known as the “ZEBRA plant”, manufactures high-purity precursors (intermediates) to the latest generation of fluorochemicals. These substances are essential components utilized worldwide in modern refrigeration and atmosphere-conditioning systems as well as in insulation foam applications.

The plant is operated by SPOLCHEMIE Zebra, a.s., a wholly owned subsidiary of SPOLCHEMIE.

The total investment, including the associated infrastructure, amounts to approximately 100 million euros. “This significant investment underscores our steadfast commitment as a shareholder.” It also represents an crucial measure in our strategic realignment, moving away from traditional basic chemicals toward specialty items with higher added value. This focus on innovation is particularly crucial at a time when the European chemical sector is under pressure from high energy costs and strong competition from Asia, ”said Daniel Tamchyna, CEO of KAPRAIN CHEMICAL.

The core production methodology at the ZEBRA plant was developed entirely in-house by SPOL CHEMIE's research and research department, which began work on the new chemical processes back in 2009. After years of laboratory research, extensive testing and pilot-scale trials, this work culminated in the construction of a brand new manufacturing-scale production facility. The underlying inventions are protected by patents in all major markets worldwide. SPOL CHEMIE Zebra has intellectual property (IP) that includes four patent families and covers various stages of the manufacturing process as well as specific high purity product compositions.

The new production facility is fully integrated into SPOL CHEMIE's manufacturing site in Ústí nad Labem, where it uses internal product streams, including chlorine, which is manufactured in the company's membrane electrolysis plant. This integration increases the efficiency and resilience of SPOL CHEMIE's operations, while reducing the Company's reliance on the highly competitive and cyclical markets to hydroxides and epoxy resins. “This project underscores our technological research capabilities and strengthens our position as a versatile chlor-alkali supplier capable of forging partnerships with leading multinationals,” said Bert Stiers, board member of SPOLCHEMIE Zebra.

The first items were manufactured in 2024, and the manufacturing plant was successfully commissioned and transferred to regular operation in might 2025. Since then, the SPOLCHEMIE teams have continuously optimized and fine-tuned the production parameters. After greater than 25,000 tons of high-purity preliminary items have already been manufactured and delivered, the system is now going into full operation.

SPOL CHEMIE Zebra's intermediates are specifically designed to consumption in fourth-generation fluorochemicals that replace older substances that are gradually being phased out. These new items do not harm the ozone layer, while their greenhouse possible (GWP) is only a fraction of that of their predecessors. The project therefore brings significant environmental benefits worldwide. SPOLCHEMIE estimates that the downstream consumption of its precursor items can prevent greater than 10 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent releases annually.

As part of its strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), SPOLCHEMIE also likes to highlight the contribution of the ZEBRA project to regional employment. The project has created both direct and indirect jobs, helping to enhance and secure employment in the Ústí nad Labem region. At the peak of construction, greater than 350 people were involved in the project. Today, 65 full-time employees of SPOLCHEMIE continue to be immediately involved in the new business unit.