On June 1st, we mark Petrokemija Day, commemorating the date in 1968 when the mineral fertilizer plant merged with the Chemical Products Factory, creating an integrated industrial system – INA – Petrochemical Products Factory. This defining moment marked a new phase of development and the unification of industrial capacities, making Petrokemija a key driver of economic and agricultural growth in Croatia.

Petrokemija’s history, however, began slightly earlier, on July 25th, 1965, with the start of construction of the mineral fertilizer plant in the eastern part of Kutina. Over two and a half years of intensive construction, five process plants rose on 50 hectares of land – among the largest of their kind in the world at the time. In 1968, the plant began operating with a capacity of 750,000 tons per year, becoming one of the ten largest fertilizer facilities in the world.

The first facility, Energetika, began operations on July 23rd, 1967. A historic moment occurred on March 18th, 1968, at 3:00 a.m., when the first granules of urea were produced – first pink, then white – marking the beginning of urea production in Croatia and the region. It was a triumph of knowledge and hard work, especially for the then-construction director Ivan Lugar and the entire team of experts and workers.

The vision for development continued into the second half of the 1970s. The contract for the construction of Phase 2 of the plant was signed in the summer of 1977, and the foundation stone was laid on June 1st, 1978. Kutina became a large construction site, and the new AN/CAN facility was put into operation on October 28th, 1982. By November 9th, 1983, the entire Phase 2 complex was operational, and the official opening was held nearly a year later. At that point, total fertilizer production capacity reached 1,256,000 tons per year, making Petrokemija account for as much as 42% of all fertilizer production capacity in the former Yugoslavia. This firmly established the company as a crucial factor in supplying agriculture not only in Croatia but throughout the broader region.

Together with Petrokemija, the city of Kutina also developed, gaining the status of a regional economic center. Petrokemija’s workers also played a significant role during the Homeland War. The plant was targeted by rockets several times during the war, fortunately without serious consequences.

On March 1st, 1991, a joint-stock company was entered into the court register under the name INA – Petrokemija, a company for the production and trade of carbon black, bentonite clays, and mineral fertilizers.

As of December 18th, 1996, the company operated under the name Petrokemija d.o.o., and on June 24th, 1998, it changed its name to Petrokemija d.d. following its conversion to a joint-stock company.

From the 1990s to the present day, Petrokemija has undergone significant transformations, including privatization, restructuring, and changes in ownership structure.

Today, as part of ARY Holding and Yilfert Holding, we proudly look back on decades of growth, challenges, and success – but our eyes remain firmly set on the future. Together with our employees, partners, and community, we look forward to the challenges ahead.

This is not just an anniversary of a factory – it is a celebration of the collective effort of generations who built the foundations of sustainable development and agricultural security for Croatia and the region.

Thank you to everyone who has been – and remains – part of our petrochemical story! Our success is the result of the collective effort, knowledge, and dedication of all who have contributed to building and developing Petrokemija.

Happy 57th birthday, Petrokemija!