PETROFINA SA

major Belgian petroleum conglomerate, engaged in the exploration for and production of crude oil, oil refining, and petrochemical production. Its headquarters are in Brussels. The company was organized in 1920 as the Compagnie Financire Belge des Ptroles, with its initial interest in the development of Romanian oil fields and of Belgian interests in Africa. It assumed its present name in 1957. Until 1962 the company's main efforts were directed toward petroleum distribution and refining and to establishing associated companies in the United States and Canada. Since 1962 Petrofina has shown increasing interest in manufacturing petrochemicals, and the company has become one of the world's largest ethylene producers. It also produces polypropylene, polystyrene, and related products. Other products include paints and varnishes, fatty acids, emulsifiers and detergents, plastics, and materials for road construction. The company has petrochemical manufacturing facilities in Belgium and the United States. As an integrated petroleum company, Petrofina engages in exploration, production of crude oil, refining, and distribution. Its exploration activities have become concentrated primarily in the North Sea and North America. It has refineries in Europe, America, and Angola and sells much of its petroleum output through its own retail outlets.