Business Forum • 22 June, 2026 at 9:38 AM
OMV Petrom, an integrated energy producer in South-Eastern Europe, commissioned a new aromatics unit at Petrobrazi, following an investment of around €140 million. The unit has a capacity of 150,000 tons per year of toluene and benzene, improving the refinery's production mix and energy efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
"We are expanding our processing capacity for products that can serve as feedstock for the petrochemical industry, further strengthening the role of the Petrobrazi refinery within the petrochemical value chain. The project reflects our commitment to operational excellence and sustainability," said Radu Căprău, Member of OMV Petrom's Executive Board responsible for Refining and Marketing.
The new unit incorporates Best Available Technologies and replaces a facility that has been in operation since 1961. It enables the separation of benzene from gasoline, ensuring the production of high-octane fuels in line with European standards. The investment also expands production capacity for aromatics such as toluene, used as feedstock in the manufacturing of paints and adhesives. Following commissioning, the unit will increase toluene production capacity at Petrobrazi by 50,000 tons per year, reaching approximately 100,000 tons per year.
OMV Petrom has invested more than €2 billion in the modernisation of the Petrobrazi refinery since privatisation, focusing on operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The company is currently developing another project of approximately €750 million to build a sustainable fuels production unit (SAF/HVO), which will include a green hydrogen component.
The company has an annual Group hydrocarbon production of approximately 38 million boe in 2025, a refining capacity of 4.5 million tons annually and operates an 860 MW gas-fired power plant. It is present on the oil products retail market in Romania and neighbouring countries through approximately 780 filling stations under two brands, OMV and Petrom.