With teamwork and commitment: thyssenkrupp executing €1.2 billion project in Hungary

Under an order for the Hungarian MOL Group, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions is building a vast chemical complex in Tiszaújváros, Hungary, 160 kilometers east of the capital Budapest.

Scheduled to start operation in 2021, the plant will produce around 200,000 tons of polyols annually. It’s not just the size of the complex that makes it unique in the region. It will also set new standards in terms of efficiency, eco-friendliness, and automation. Nine months after the foundation stone laying, the project is well on track despite the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Katarina Letkova and Tomasz Morawski are two of the employees making this gigantic project a success.

“The civil works are currently ongoing,” says Katarina Letkova. “Currently the project, even though experiencing some difficulties due to the global pandemic, is going well and we are all pushing it forward.” As mechanical completion coordinator, Katarina supports the site team in coordinating the construction and commissioning activities according to the defined sequence and priorities.

“I keep track of the completion status of current field activities, analyze time-critical activities, coordinate closely with the site team, and assist various departments and the site manager with preparatory work.”

Responsible roles

Although she’s only been with thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions since the beginning of 2020, the outgoing 32-year-old seems to have found her dream job. “Working in a multinational company is for me something I cannot even describe. I’m really grateful to be able to experience “project life”: traveling all around the world, learning new technologies, and improving in many different languages. Cultural diversity and many other things I can learn are only benefits making me want to continue in this industry.”

Outside work, too, there are advantages for thyssenkrupp employees, especially in Hungary. ‘There are many unforgettable places worth visiting. One of them is certainly the Hungarian capital, which is very close by,’ enthuses Katarina. Budapest, for Katarina “one of the most beautiful cities in Europe’, is less than a two-hour drive away. ‘Together with our colleagues, we discover the beauty of Hungarian nature and organize bicycle tours. International and dedicated team members make the time spent here pleasant and create a great atmosphere.’

Like Katarina Letkova, Tomasz Morawski also joined the company only recently. The project in Hungary is his first with thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions. As a trained welding engineer and non-destructive testing inspector, Tomasz has the job of supervising welding works during tank fabrication on site. “My role in the project is essential for ensuring the quality of fabrication at every stage of production,” says Tomasz. “It is crucial that we carry out quality checks and corrections continuously as it is the only way to ensure that the final product meets expectations. In my work, I combine my previous experience and diverse university background in order to support the project.”

Young, dynamic, successful

And despite being only 29 years of age, Tomasz has experience in spades. “I have worked on diverse large-scale projects, including power stations, energy from waste projects, combined heat and power plants, filters, tanks, and work on various pipeline systems.” Also, Tomasz really does have a surprisingly broad university education. He has a Master of Engineering in welding engineering, a Bachelor of Engineering in material science, and a BA in Russian studies.

Identification and commitment

The quality expert can therefore well judge the importance of such a big and complex project. The MOL Group, a leading international oil and gas company, is investing altogether 1.2 billion euros in the new plant complex, which is being built on a 550,000 square meter site. “It is MOL’s largest-ever organic investment, which makes me very proud to be a part of it,” says the engineer.