Rompetrol Rafinare reports 25% increase in turnover for first half of 2026

   Rompetrol Rafinare recorded a consolidated gross turnover of $3.5 billion in the first half of this year a 25% increase compared to the same period of 2025?driven by market conditions, including international price levels for raw materials, petroleum products, and bio-components, as well as rising fuel consumption, the company announced in a press release on Friday.At the same time, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) recorded a 65% increase, while the consolidated net result rose to $40.4 million."Financial performance was also influenced by factors independent of the company's operations, such as the temporary capping of the commercial margin applied between April and June 2026, which had a direct impact on the refining and distribution segments," the statement notes.In the refining segment, which comprises the results of the Petromidia Navodari and Vega Ploiesti refineries, the company recorded a gross turnover of $3 billion?up 28%?and an operating profit (EBITDA) of $90 million, an increase of 47%.In the first half of the year, Petromidia processed nearly 2.6 million tonnes of feedstock?a 7% decrease compared to the first half of 2025?with crude oil supplies secured through the support of KazMunayGas, Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company. "Supply continuity was maintained through considerable effort, demonstrating the resilience of the operational chain and the adaptability of both the company and the Group to which it belongs," the cited source stated.Gasoline production in the first half of the year exceeded 700,000 tonnes?a 15% decrease?while the production of diesel and aviation fuels reached nearly 1.4 million tonnes, marking a slight decline compared to the first half of 2025. Production levels were primarily affected by the suspension of operations during the scheduled maintenance turnaround. The company increased the share of products allocated to the domestic market from 56% of the total in the first half of 2025 to 69% in the first half of 2026.The capacity utilization rate of the Petromidia refinery was 98.11%.As for the Vega refinery (the sole domestic producer of bitumen and hexane), the volume of raw materials processed in the first half of the year amounted to approximately 164,000 tonnes?a decrease driven by reduced flows of raw materials and semi-finished products supplied by Petromidia.In April, the Ploie?ti facility began production of a new high-value-added solvent?hexane with a minimum purity of 60%. This strategic product, developed by optimizing the N-Hexane unit, is designed to enhance efficiency in extraction processes within the local food industry and to strengthen the company's export profile in European and Asian markets.In the petrochemicals segment?comprising the operations of Rompetrol Rafinare and Rompetrol Petrochemicals SRL?total polymer production reached 44,000 tonnes in the first half of the year, marking a 12% increase compared to the same period of 2025.The Polypropylene (PP) and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plants processed 62,000 tonnes of raw materials?specifically 41,000 tonnes of propylene and 21,000 tonnes of ethylene."Amid major disruptions to international transport, 65% of the polymer output from Romania's only petrochemical division was directed to the domestic market to fulfill deliveries to partners in related industries, thereby supporting various manufacturing segments within the country," the statement notes.The distribution segment, comprising the results of the subsidiaries Rompetrol Downstream, Rom Oil, Rompetrol Quality Control, Rompetrol Logistics, and Rompetrol Gas, generated gross revenues of $2.1 billion?a 27% increase compared to the same period of 2025?while gross operating profit (EBITDA) stood at over $41 million, down 11% compared to the first half of 2025.Fuel sales through the wholesale channel rose by 7%, reflecting the strengthening of relationships with business and institutional clients, as well as the securing of high-volume contracts that generated a steady flow of deliveries throughout the semester, the cited source notes.Retail sales also rose by 3%, driven by the optimization of the service station network, ongoing efforts to attract and retain customers, and the assurance of fuel quality and supply continuity.This year, Rompetrol Downstream aims to expand its network by adding 13 new distribution stations, strategically located along high-speed roads and equipped with multi-product pumps, LPG skids, and 150 kW fast-charging points. These expansion plans are also supported by a strategic project involving the installation of ultra-fast charging stations for light and heavy vehicles at 26 new locations. The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program.On the other hand, the outlook for the second half of the year is cautious, given that the geopolitical situation in the Black Sea region impacted maritime routes, freight transport scheduling, and regional logistics flows in July. Developments are being closely monitored to ensure the efficient continuity of production activities and the appropriate adjustment of operational scenarios, company representatives emphasize.The significant shareholders of Rompetrol Rafinare SA are KMG International (54.63% - direct and indirect) and the Romanian State, through the Ministry of Energy (44.7%).