- The Rijeka Refinery has been transformed into one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the region.
- The new Delayed Coker Unit (DCU) eliminates the need to import vacuum gas oil (VGO), and the share of diesel in total production is expected to increase by approximately 30 percent.
- INA and MOL Group have ensured the long-term sustainable operation of the Rijeka Refinery, strengthening the energy stability of Croatia and the wider region.
- INA and the Ministry of Economy of Croatia have signed a grant agreement of up to EUR 15 million for the construction of a green hydrogen production plant at the refinery.
Rijeka, 10 March 2026 – INA has marked the completion of the Rijeka Refinery Upgrade Project. The modernization involved an investment of nearly EUR 700 million, representing the largest single investment in INA’s history and one of the biggest industrial investments in modern Croatia.
With the completion of the construction of the Delayed Coking Unit and associated facilities, the installed processing capacity of the Rijeka Refinery will reach up to four million tons of crude oil per year, as it will now be able to process a broader range of crude, including heavier grades. The key advancement lies in production optimization: the new unit enables significantly higher yields of high-value products from the same amount of crude oil. It is expected that the share of diesel in total production will increase by around 30 percent, which is of strategic importance to the market, especially during the peak tourist season in Croatia.
Production will no longer require the import of vacuum gas oil (VGO), which is on European market predominantly of Russian origin. This further enhances Croatia’s energy security and reduces dependence on imported raw materials.
The ceremony marking the completion of the refinery modernization was attended by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Government of Hungary, ambassadors from several countries, representatives of regional and local communities, and the management of INA and MOL Group. Prior to the ceremony, a Grant agreement was signed with the Ministry of Economy under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for the construction of a green hydrogen production plant at the Rijeka Refinery, signalling further investments in sustainable development.
Zsuzsanna Ortutay, President of the Management Board of INA, emphasized that the refinery upgrade project represents a strategic milestone for the company: “We will now be able to utilize every barrel of crude oil more efficiently and remain competitive for many years to come. The benefits of this project extend beyond the refinery’s boundaries. For Croatia and the region, it means greater energy security, more stable supply for our customers, and a stronger position for INA as a regional supplier. Moreover, the project is a powerful driver of economic growth and local community development. A modern facility like this will support our transition to a lower-carbon economy. INA is already implementing renewable energy projects, and by the end of the year, a commercial green hydrogen production plant will be built here on site, the first of its kind in Croatia.”
Ante Šušnjar, Minister of Economy of Croatia emphasized the importance of the project for Croatian and regional energy security: “The commissioning of the Delayed Coker Unit at the Rijeka Refinery marks a significant step forward in strengthening Croatia’s energy security and industrial sector. In times of geopolitical instability, robust and reliable energy infrastructure ensures safer supply, a more stable market, and a more resilient economy. We expect the Rijeka Refinery to operate stably, sustainably, and at full capacity, benefitting Croatia’s economy, energy system, and our partners in the region. Croatia will continue to bolster its energy infrastructure and capacities, as a strong energy system leads to a stronger economy, greater national resilience, and enhanced security for our citizens and economy.
Levente Magyar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, stressed that this is about common energy security: “This is a great day for Croatia. This is a great day for Hungary. This is a great day for the energy security of our region because we deeply believe that energy security in this region is indivisible. Croatia cannot have energy security without Hungary having energy security, and Hungary cannot have energy security without Croatia. And this great investment of historical proportion embodies this indivisibility and will be a guarantor of our joint energy security, especially in these troubled times. This is a historical step in the right direction of reinforcing our joint and common energy sovereignty and energy security.”
The Rijeka Refinery upgrade is part of a long-term investment cycle, during which INA and MOL have invested more than EUR 1.3 billion in modernizing refinery and logistics infrastructure in last 12 years.
József Molnár, CEO of MOL Group, highlighted: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in INA’s refining activities. We have completed the construction phase of the largest industrial investment project ever undertaken by INA and by Croatia. But the work is only just beginning. The global energy market remains fragile, so we must do everything possible to ensure high productivity and make Rijeka one of Europe’s most efficient refineries. Our interest is clear: we want a strong INA. And a strong INA means a stronger Croatia, a more reliable energy supply for the region, and a stronger MOL Group.”
The scale of this engineering and construction achievement is best illustrated by the figures behind the new refinery landscape. More than 10,000 tons of steel were used in the construction of new units, equivalent to nearly one and a half Eiffel Tower structures. The project consumed 60,000 cubic meters of concrete, enough to build a medium-sized soccer stadium. More than half of the work, valued at nearly EUR 700 million, was carried out by domestic contractors. With the completion of the project, INA has secured long-term sustainable refinery operations in Rijeka, continuing to significantly contribute to economic growth, development, and employment stability throughout the wider Rijeka area.
About green hydrogen project
With the aim of diversifying its traditional portfolio with renewable energy sources, INA is investing over EUR 60 million in the construction of a green hydrogen production and distribution plant at the Rijeka Refinery. Alongside a 10 MW electrolyzer, an accompanying 11 MW solar power plant will be built. The green hydrogen produced will be intended for the market, primarily for transportation, and can also be utilized in the refinery’s own production processes. Completion of the works is planned for the end of 2026, with the first molecules of green hydrogen expected to be produced in 2027. The grant agreement under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, for up to EUR 15 million, was signed on behalf of INA by the President of the Management Board Zsuzsanna Ortutay and Management Board member Hrvoje Šimović, together with Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar and Director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund Luka Balen.
About INA Group
INA Group plays a leading role in the Croatian oil business and holds a significant position in the region in oil and gas exploration and production, oil refining, and distribution of oil and petroleum products. The company consists of several subsidiaries wholly or partially owned by INA, d.d. The Group is headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia. In the field of oil and gas exploration and production, INA currently operates in Croatia and Egypt. Oil refining takes place at the Rijeka Refinery, while the Sisak industrial site is being transformed into a hub for sustainable alternative activities. The regional retail network includes more than 500 service stations in Croatia and neighbouring countries. INA Group is a member of the MOL Group.
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