Duslo Sala Ready to Invest in Slovakia, Seeks Fair Energy Conditions

Sala/Bratislava, 24 March (TASR) – The company Duslo Sala is ready to invest and stay in Slovakia, and its management wants to conduct a constructive, expertise-informed dialogue with the state on setting conditions that will not place Slovak industry at a structural disadvantage compared with competitors, Duslo chair of the board Petr Cingr stated after a meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Tuesday. In ammonia production, a key input for fertilisers, natural gas is not used as an energy source but as a direct raw material. Duslo is therefore among the largest industrial consumers of natural gas in Slovakia. Industrial companies in Slovakia pay more for regulated fees such as gas transmission and distribution than comparable firms in several countries in the region, the chairman noted. This difference is directly reflected in production cost structures and limits room for investment. At the same time, Slovakia is a country where the group produces fertilisers without any form of energy price support, Duslo management said. In several European Union countries, electricity price caps or support schemes for energy-intensive industries exist under state aid frameworks. "We would welcome the introduction of comparable mechanisms in Slovakia," said Cingr. The implementation of planned investments will also depend on stable and reasonably priced conditions on the energy market. "We are considering the construction of a granulation line worth €200 million," confirmed Duslo general director Pavel Hanus. According to him, the company will seek every form of support. According to Fico, it is natural for every investor to look for state support and suitable incentive mechanisms. "We agreed that we will, of course, discuss this together," the prime minister said. Duslo Sala is one of the most significant chemical companies in Slovakia. It directly employs nearly 1,650 people. Its activities support a further 5,000 to 6,000 indirect jobs in supplier and service companies in the region. It is part of the Agrofert group, the second-largest producer of nitrogen fertilisers in Europe. Agrofert operates in Slovakia through 28 companies, employs more than 4,800 people and pays over 40 million euros annually in taxes and levies. The group's total turnover on the Slovak market reached €1.3 billion in 2024. Since Agrofert entered Duslo in 2005, investments in technology, the environment and working conditions have exceeded one billion euros. Key projects include a new ammonia production unit worth €337.9 million. mf