Petrobrazi will become the first ISCC certified refinery in Romania to produce SAF and HVO by co-processing raw materials of a biological nature. The SAF volumes produced at the Petrobrazi refinery for commercial flights will help reduce the CO2 emissions by about 70% compared to the conventional fuel.

OMV Petrom will produce sustainable aviation fuel at the Petrobrazi refinery by co-processing locally produced rapeseed oil. The first test run volumes are estimated for July, this year. The product will help reduce the CO2 emissions from commercial flights.

“The production of SAF is part of our strategic objectives and we believe that it will become the main alternative for achieving the climate objectives of the aviation industry. Our goal is that, in 2030, to have an annual combined production of SAF and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) of about 450 thousand tons,” Radu Caprau, member of the Executive Board responsible for Refining & Marketing, said.

This test run was based on a successfully completed first rapeseed oil co-processing pilot at the Petrobrazi refinery, performed in July 2020. OMV Petrom was certified as an HVO producer based on the CERTROM audit, in accordance with the requirements of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU) voluntary scheme. This is a system recognized by the European Commission for the certification of sustainable materials that comply with the legal requirements of the Directive on the promotion of the use of Energy from Renewable Sources (RED). The use of HVO reduces the CO2 emissions by at least 65% compared to conventional diesel.

(Source: Energy Industry Review, June 30-2022)