Distillation

Competition inspectors have fined the Motor Oil refinery 9.2 million euros and an employee €50,000 for obstructing an on-site inspection.

In a statement, the Hellenic Competition Commission said it had imposed the fines "after taking into consideration the particular seriousness of the related behavior, the disdain and their repercussion on the investigation taking place."

More ouzo, tsipouro and raki produced by Greek distilleries than ever before went to consumers outside Greece in 2022, as a historic record was set in exports of Greek alcoholic beverages.

Exports were higher in value and quantity not only compared to 2021 but also to 2019, the last year before the outbreak of the pandemic.

The Greek distillery industry is brimming with optimism as Greek beverages are gaining an increasing foothold domestically and abroad. From 2019 to 2022, exports rose 22%, spearheaded by ouzo.

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Between 20 and 30% of Ukraine's infrastructure has been destroyed

Between 20% and 30% of Ukraine's infrastructure has been destroyed as a result of Russia's invasion. Roads, bridges, ports, railways and airports were destroyed.

The country's oil refineries, which are directly linked to the global oil market, are having to manage an unprecedented situation as a result of the volatility created by the slump in demand due to travel restrictions enforced around the world to contain Covid-19 and which sector officials describe to Kathimerini as the absolute imbalance of supply and demand.

Greece's biggest oil refiner, Hellenic Petroleum, reported a 31 percent drop in second-quarter core profit on Thursday, hurt by refining margins which recorded a five-year low.

A small essential oil maker from Panagyurishte, Bulgaria, has bought modern rose oil distillation equipment with help from EU funds. This has allowed the company to set up a new production line for organic products and meet growing demand for natural oils in Bulgaria and across Europe, reports The Mayor.

The commercial start-up of Turkey's new $6.3 billion oil refinery has been delayed until early next year and the plant is not expected to reach full capacity until mid-2019, three sources familiar with the matter said, as tests revealed minor faults.

Greece's biggest oil refiner Hellenic Petroleum expects stronger financial results in the third quarter thanks to higher refining margins, it said on Thursday.

Hellenic, which runs three refineries and exports more than half its output, reported an 18 percent drop in second-quarter core profit.

SOFIA, BULGARIA - "Capital"  reports that, according to the International Organization of Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), Bulgaria is among the top six in the world for consumption of spirits per capita, as the statistics also include domestic production.