Romania's OMV Petrom has taken the final investment decision (FID) to convert its Petrobrazi refinery for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO). The facility will cost EUR 560 million and is expected to produce 250,000 tonnes of SAF and HVO annually, as well as by-products such as bio-naphtha and bio-LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) for the chemical industry.
The SAF/HVO plant will use 11,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year, most of which will be provided by two new on-site green hydrogen production units with an estimated capacity of 8,000 tonnes in total.
Last year OMV purchased a 50% stake in Respira Verde, a leader in the collection of used cooking oil (UCO) in Romania, to secure feedstock supply. Respira Verde collects up to 10,000 tonnes of UCO per year from the hospitality and retail sector.
The SAF/HVO plant, scheduled to start up in 2028, will help OMV meet the increasing regional demand for low-carbon products and contribute towards reducing Romania's renewable-fuel imports.