Because we are still in the Connecting Europe Days event, which takes place on June 28-30 in Lyon, France, and because the other day I was on board a Wizz Air flight powered by SAF, here we come to you with good news from OMV Petrom.
According to a statement issued on June 23, OMV Petrom will start production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Petrobrazi.
OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy company in Southeast Europe, will produce sustainable aviation fuel at the Petrobrazi refinery by co-processing rapeseed oil produced on the local market. The first test quantities are estimated for July this year. The product will help reduce CO2 emissions from commercial flights.
This test was based on the first successful rapeseed oil co-processing pilot at the Petrobrazi refinery in July 2020. OMV Petrom was certified as an HVO manufacturer based on the CERTROM audit, in accordance with the requirements of the International Sustainability and Voluntary Scheme. Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU).
This is a system recognized by the European Commission for the certification of sustainable materials that complies with the legal requirements of the Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources (RED). The use of HVO reduces CO65 emissions by at least 2% compared to conventional diesel.
Petrobrazi will thus become the first ISCC certified refinery in the country to produce SAF and HVO by co-processing raw materials of an organic nature. The SAF produced at the Petrobrazi refinery for commercial flights will contribute to a reduction of approximately 70% in CO2 emissions compared to conventional fuel.
At the same time, the company plans to expand production capacity in the future to achieve advanced sustainable fuels, obtained from a wide range of residual raw materials (eg used cooking oil).
To meet the European Commission's goals of achieving climate goals, the current plan includes the use of at least 63% SAF of aviation fuel demand by 2050 for EU air transport. Sustainable fuels will play a major role in decarbonising this sector.
Romania is one of the largest rapeseed producers in the European Union, ranking 4th in 2021. According to the National Institute of Statistics, most of the production is exported as raw material (seeds), only a part of the quantities obtained being capitalized internally. By using rapeseed oil obtained locally in the production of sustainable fuels for aviation, we contribute to expanding the value chain of rapeseed in Romania.