Karolkowa Street in Warsaw’s Wola district has for years witnessed the industrial history of the capital. One of its most characteristic points was the monumental buildings of Warszawskie Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Polfa” S.A., which became history in 2024. The famous company formally ceased to exist as a result of its merger with Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Polpharma”, and its walls at 22/24 Karolkowa Street have already almost completely disappeared from the map of Warsaw, making way for a modern housing estate. This change marks the end of an era for Polish pharmacy.
From its roots in the 19th century to nationalisation
The history of this place goes back deep into the 19th century, when the “Paweł Szpigiel i S-ka” Rubber Tape Factory was established on the property at the junction of Karolkowa and Przyokopowa in the second half of the century. In subsequent years the owners changed, and around 1900 the factory passed into the hands of Adolf Fabian, who before 1914 expanded the complex with a building with an entrance gate from the junction of Karolkowa and Przyokopowa streets. The real breakthrough, however, came before 1929, when the factory was taken over by the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry Society d. Magister Klawe S.A.. It was the Klawe family who breathed the spirit of pharmacy into the place. Henryk Klawe, the senior of the family and founder of the well-known pharmacy, laid the foundations for the future pharmaceutical giant. In the 1930s, the company grew rapidly, expanding its facilities and extending its product range. Just before the outbreak of the Second World War, an impressive number of over 400 different medicinal products were being produced at Karolkowa. The company not only produced medicines, but was also involved in publishing, publishing medical journals, and charitable activities, supporting Lutheran shelters, among others.
The turbulent times of the Second World War left their mark on the factory. During the occupation it was handed over to a German company, and after 1945 the ruined plant was nationalised by the communist authorities. Stanisław Klawe, Henryk’s son, never regained the family business, which was transformed into Plant No. 1 of the Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry and then renamed Warsaw Pharmaceutical Plant “Polfa”.
Polfa Warszawa: products, exports and privatisation
The Karolkowa plant continued its activities under the “Polfa” banner, becoming one of the key pharmaceutical manufacturers in Poland. Over the years and growing needs, the facilities were modernised and expanded. Polfa’s products enjoyed recognition, which allowed the state-owned factory to survive the political transformation after 1989. In 2012, another important stage in the company’s history took place – privatisation. Polpharma S.A., Poland’s largest manufacturer of medicines, which also operates abroad, became the majority owner of Polfa’s shares. At the time of privatisation, Polfa Warszawa’s portfolio included more than 140 different types of preparations, including OTC (over-the-counter) medicines, prescription preparations and products for hospitals. These products were distributed throughout the country and exported to dozens of countries around the world.
The end of an era and new perspectives
In March 2024, the formal merger of Warszawskie Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polfa S.A. and Zakłady Farmaceutyczne “Polpharma” S.A. took place. On the date of the merger, Polpharma took over all the rights and obligations of the Warsaw company. This event marked the symbolic end of Polfa Warszawa’s operations as a separate entity. Shortly afterwards, the demolition of the historic buildings on Karolkowa Street began. On the site where life-saving medicines were produced for decades, a modern housing estate of the Noho One company will be built. We wrote about the investment HERE. However, the history of Polfa Warszawa does not end with the disappearance of the buildings on Karolkowa. As early as 2013, shortly after the takeover by Polpharma, information emerged about plans to build a modern factory in Duchnice, 15 km west of the centre of Warsaw. As announced by Polpharma, it will be one of the largest and most modern pharmaceutical plants in Europe, specialising, among other things, in the production of biological drugs.
Polfa: heritage and memory
The disappearance of the Polfa buildings on Karolkowa Street is undoubtedly the end of a chapter in the history of Warsaw’s Wola and the Polish pharmaceutical industry. However, the memory of this place and of the people who over the years created medicines that served millions of patients will remain alive. From the rubber tape factory, through the dynamically growing business of the Klawe family, to the nationalised Polfa and its privatisation, the history of this place bears witness to the economic and social changes in Poland.
Source: polfawarszawa.pl, polska-org.pl
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