- Investment of EUR 130 million will be made over the next 3 years.
- The new unit will double aromatic product capacity to 100 kt/year by 2026.
- The current unit, operational since 1961, will be replaced between 2023 and 2025.
- The new unit will produce gasoline with <1% benzene and more toluene.
Investment and Timeline
OMV Petrom is investing EUR 130 million over the next three years to build a new unit for aromatic products at the Petrobrazi refinery. The project will replace the existing unit, which has been operational since 1961, with the new unit expected to be operational by 2026. The replacement process will occur between 2023 and 2025.
Production Capacity and Standards
The new unit will double the production capacity of aromatic products from approximately 50 kt/year to around 100 kt/year. It will operate at modern Best Available Technology (BAT) standards, ensuring low environmental impact. The processing capacity of the new unit will be about 1,500 tons/day of reformed gasoline.
Product Specifications
The new unit will produce gasoline with a volumetric benzene content of less than 1%, in line with current European standards. Additionally, it will enable the production of a larger amount of toluene, which can be used to improve the octane number of commercial gasoline or as a solvent in the chemical industry for products like paints, adhesives, and leather goods.
Environmental Impact
Since 2005, OMV Petrom has invested over EUR 1.8 billion in the Petrobrazi refinery, with a third of this investment aimed at reducing environmental impact. The new unit is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the technological efficiency of the refinery and support the production of second-generation biofuels.
