ELLINIKA PETRELAIA AE

Their core work

Hellenic Petroleum (HELPE) is Greece's largest oil refining and energy company, operating refineries, petrochemical plants, and fuel distribution networks across Southeast Europe. In H2020 projects, they contribute industrial-scale energy infrastructure expertise, participating in bioenergy integration for industrial facilities, advanced catalysis research, and renewable energy systems for buildings. Their role centers on validating and deploying energy technologies at real industrial sites, bridging the gap between laboratory research and large-scale energy operations.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

All three H2020 projects fall within a narrow window (2018-2019 start dates), making it difficult to identify a clear temporal evolution. However, the portfolio shows a deliberate diversification from traditional fossil fuel operations toward renewable energy, advanced catalysis, and green building technologies. This suggests HELPE was using H2020 participation to explore post-petroleum energy pathways during its early engagement with EU research funding.

HELPE appears to be positioning itself for the energy transition by building research partnerships in renewables, advanced materials, and zero-emission building technologies — areas far from its traditional refining core.

How they like to work

HELPE participates exclusively as a partner, never leading consortia — consistent with a large industrial company contributing real-world infrastructure and validation sites rather than driving research agendas. With 44 unique partners across 15 countries in just 3 projects, they join large, diverse consortia. This suggests they function as an industrial demonstration partner that research groups seek out for access to energy infrastructure at scale.

Despite only 3 projects, HELPE has connected with 44 partners across 15 countries, indicating participation in large multi-national consortia typical of energy RIA projects. Their network spans most of the EU, with no single geographic concentration.

What sets them apart

As Greece's dominant petroleum and energy company, HELPE brings something most academic or SME partners cannot: access to operating refineries, petrochemical plants, and large-scale energy distribution infrastructure for real-world testing. Their willingness to participate in green energy and catalysis research signals genuine commitment to energy transition, making them a credible industrial validation partner for decarbonization projects targeting heavy industry.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RE-COGNITION
  Largest EC contribution (EUR 180,000) and directly addresses zero-energy buildings — a significant pivot from petroleum operations toward renewable integration.
• ZEOCAT-3D
  Unusual combination of 3D-printing with zeolite nano-catalysts for methane conversion, connecting HELPE's hydrocarbon expertise with advanced manufacturing techniques.