The price of gas remains one of the main concerns of the chemical sector. Fertiliser producers are the largest users of gas in this country, accounting for some 35 percent of that consumed by industry. However monopoly state owned gas concern PGNiG is not making any special cases. It is charging users nearly USD41 per 1,000 cubic metres which is more than is charged by any of Polish neighbours, either in the east or west.
A solution to this problem has been to suggest bringing PGNiG into a fertiliser holding which would allow it to buy gas from countries which can offer a better deal than Russia.
The government has suggested bringing PKN Orlen into the consolidation of the chemical sector. Orlen already uses ten percent of all industrial gas in this country and is most unwilling to subsidise unprofitable chemical firms. On the other hand if it does not invest in this business it could lose its clients in the sector.