Slovak Environment Ministry Backs Slovnaft's Major Waste Incineration Plant Project

An expert assessment commissioned by Slovakia's Environment Ministry has recommended approval for Slovnaft's planned waste incineration facility, bringing the project significantly closer to realization. The proposed plant would become Slovakia's largest waste processing facility with a capacity of 220,000 tons annually. The facility represents a strategic shift for Slovnaft, the Slovak oil refinery owned by Hungary's MOL Group, as it seeks new revenue streams after losing access to advantageous Russian oil supplies due to EU sanctions. Critics have raised concerns about the plant potentially importing waste from Hungary and contributing to increased pollution in the region. The Environment Ministry, led by Minister Tomáš Taraba, has simultaneously approved record levels of waste imports from abroad, adding to environmental concerns about the country's waste management policies.