OMV Petrom, majority-owned by OMV Aktiengesellschaft, has commenced construction of a cutting-edge facility at its Petrobrazi refinery in southeastern Romania. This new plant will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel, also known as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), marking a significant step towards the company's decarbonization goals. The Petrobrazi refinery, with a capacity of 4.5 million tonnes per year, is strategically located near Ploiesti City, approximately 60 km from Bucharest.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on February 19, signals the start of a project poised to transform the refinery into a hub for sustainable fuel production. The new SAF-HVO plant will utilize a variety of biofeedstocks, including used cooking oil and animal fats, to produce a combined 250,000 tonnes per year of SAF and HVO. In addition to these primary products, the plant will also yield valuable by-products such as bio-naphtha and bio-LPG.

A key feature of the new plant is its seamless integration with the Petrobrazi refinery's existing infrastructure. This design allows for efficient utilization of resources and streamlines the processes for fuel production, storage, and distribution. Furthermore, the plant's flexible design enables OMV Petrom to adjust production volumes of SAF and HVO based on market demand and the availability of specific feedstocks, ensuring responsiveness to evolving industry needs.

The total investment in the SAF-HVO plant amounts to €560 million. The project also includes a previously approved €190 million investment in an on-site hydrogen plant. This plant, once operational, will feature two water electrolysis units with capacities of 35 MW and 20 MW, respectively. These units will be capable of producing approximately 8,000 tonnes per year of carbon-free green hydrogen, which will supply the majority of the 11,000 tonnes of hydrogen required annually for the SAF-HVO manufacturing process.

The SAF-HVO and green hydrogen projects at Petrobrazi represent a combined investment of €750 million and are integral components of OMV Petrom's broader €11 billion Strategy 2030. This strategy outlines the company's commitment to transforming the Petrobrazi refinery in line with its pledge to reduce carbon emissions while continuing to meet regional mobility demands.

Christina Verchere, OMV Petrom’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the strategic importance of the project, stating, "Investing in sustainable fuel production is part of our Strategy 2030 and reflects OMV Petrom's commitment to energy transition and reducing carbon emissions." Verchere also highlighted the company's commitment to allocating 35% of its overall investment budget between 2022 and 2030 towards projects that support the energy transition in Romania and the surrounding region.