Transforming Energy Production: Honeywell UOP Ecofining Technology at the Heart of OMV Petrom's Renewable Fuels Initiative

OMV Petrom is setting up a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel facility at its Petrobrazi refinery in Romania, becoming the first major producer of sustainable fuels in Southeast Europe.

Developed in collaboration with Eni S.p.A., the Ecofining process produces renewable transportation fuels that can replace fossil-based equivalents using existing infrastructure for fuel delivery and use. Honeywell’s Ecofining process has been producing SAF commercially since 2016, and it was the first technology used to optimize SAF production for commercial aviation.

As the largest integrated energy producer in the region,¹ the addition of the Ecofining unit to the OMV Petrom facility is expected to add 250,000 tons of renewable fuels capacity to its product slate upon completion in 2028. The use of the Ecofining process reflects OMV Petrom’s commitment to transforming Petrobrazi into a hub for sustainable fuel production. The new facility will add flexibility to the raw materials used by the site (such as used cooking oil and animal fats) in addition to expanding the mix of finished products, including SAF, renewable diesel, bio-naphtha, and bio-LPG, based on market needs and feedstock availability.

Under its €11 billion investment strategy for 2030, OMV Petrom aims for a long-term transformation of the Petrobrazi refinery, prioritizing advancements in renewable fuel production.² The refinery, with an annual processing capacity of 4.5 million tons of crude oil, is strategically positioned to implement significant changes efficiently.

¹https://www.omvpetrom.com/en/about-us/company/overview

²https://m.bvb.ro/infocont/infocont24/SNP_20240619074430_Investor-News-Strategy-2030.pdf