Rompetrol and the Municipality of Ploieşti officially inaugurated the new primary school premises of the "I.L. Caragiale" National College, the result of a partnership through which a building with longstanding significance for the local community has been brought back into public use and transformed into a modern educational facility.
The building, located at 98 Romana Street, was formerly part of Rompetrol Rafinare's assets and, several decades ago, served as a nursery for the children of Vega Refinery employees. Rompetrol has made the property available to the Municipality of Ploieşti free of charge for a period of five years, after which ownership will be transferred to the municipality. The school will accommodate 120 primary school pupils, helping expand the city's educational infrastructure.
"Education is one of the most valuable investments a company can make in the communities where it operates. We are proud that a building which was once part of Vega Refinery's history is beginning a new chapter dedicated to supporting children and families in Ploieşti. This project demonstrates that sustainable development goes beyond industrial investments — it also means investing in people, education and strong partnerships with local authorities that create long-term value for the community." - Sorin Graure, General Manager, Rompetrol Rafinare.
The Municipality of Ploieşti carried out the rehabilitation and conversion works required to adapt the building for educational purposes, with an investment exceeding RON 1 million. Rompetrol complemented this effort with an additional investment of more than RON 700,000, providing the technical support required to meet fire safety standards and obtain the necessary permits, modernising the heating system, landscaping the schoolyard and green areas, and installing a new irrigation system.
The new school offers a 718-square-metre built area, four classrooms and a 2,200-square-metre outdoor courtyard designed as a safe and welcoming environment for pupils.
Rompetrol's contribution extends well beyond infrastructure. Starting with this school year, pupils will benefit, free of charge, from chess lessons and educational activities delivered through the national "Chess in Schools" programme, supported by the Company since 2021, as well as individual chess sets and educational materials.
The school also incorporates permanent educational and cultural elements acknowledging Rompetrol's contribution while promoting the shared heritage of Romania and the Republic of Kazakhstan, including books by Kazakh authors translated into Romanian, representative photographs and educational displays for pupils.
Over the years, Rompetrol has consistently supported educational development in Ploieşti through partnerships with the Petroleum-Gas University of Ploieşti, technological high schools and vocational education institutions, contributing to the development of future professionals for Romania's energy sector.
The Company has also supported projects aimed at urban regeneration and improving quality of life, including the modernization of children's playgrounds, the development of Prahova County's first inclusive playground in the Municipal West Park, and cultural initiatives dedicated to revitalising public spaces, such as the "Republica de sub Castani" project.
Through these investments, Rompetrol reaffirms its long-term commitment to the sustainable development of the communities where it operates, considering education, healthcare, culture and environmental protection as key pillars of its corporate social responsibility strategy.
About Rompetrol Rafinare
Rompetrol Rafinare, a member company of KMG International (Rompetrol), operates the Petromidia Năvodari and Vega Ploieşti refineries, which function as an integrated and complementary refining system, leveraging the synergies between Romania's largest refinery and the country's longest-operating refinery.
With an annual processing capacity of approximately 6 million tonnes, Petromidia is Romania's largest and most complex refining and petrochemical complex and one of the most modern in South-Eastern Europe, playing a strategic role in ensuring the domestic supply of fuels and other petroleum products.
With a history spanning more than 120 years, Vega Ploieşti has transformed over the past two decades into a specialised refinery focused on high value-added products that complement Petromidia's operations. Today, it is Romania's only producer of bitumen and n-hexane, while its portfolio also includes specialty solvents, petrochemical feedstocks and heating fuels. The refinery's entire bitumen production is supplied to the Romanian market, supporting the development of the country's transport infrastructure.
During the first half of 2026, Vega processed approximately 163,550 tonnes of feedstock and recorded a historic first-half bitumen production of more than 48,000 tonnes, representing a 40.5% increase compared to the same period of the previous year, confirming the effectiveness of its specialised operating model and continuous investment programme.
Corporate Communication and Public Relations
KMG International
