Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Decarbonizing aviation is critical. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a renewable alternative to conventional kerosene that contributes to over 80% lower carbon emissions over its lifecycle. Before it is used in aircraft, SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel. The resulting blend can then be transported and used through the same fueling infrastructure and airport systems that are already in place today. For SAF made from waste oils and fats (known as HEFA SAF), current industry standards allow it to be blended with conventional jet fuel at levels of up to 50%.
From used cooking oil to SAF
1. Plants grow and absorb CO2
2. Vegetable oil is used for cooking
3. Used cooking oil (UCO) is collected and taken to a pre-treatment facility
4. The UCO is sent to the refinery
5. The oil is hydrotreated and processed
6. What remains is renewable by-products and water
7. The SAF is blended with kerosene and delivered to the airport, where it is loaded into planes’ tanks
8. Flying releases CO2 into the air… while plants continue to absorb CO2 as they grow
Scaling up SAF
We are building a new large-scale SAF / HVO production facility at our Petrobrazi refinery in Romania. Construction has been underway since February 2025. Once operational, the facility is expected to make OMV Petrom the first major producer of renewable fuels in Southeast Europe.
In Europe, the ReFuelEU Aviation legislation now mandates that 2% of aviation fuel must be SAF, with the share set to rise stepwise to 70% by 2050. At OMV, we are fully prepared to meet this requirement at relevant airports, backed by our investment in state-of-the-art blending facilities at the Schwechat Refinery in Austria and the Burghausen Refinery in Germany. These facilities enable the precise integration of SAF with conventional jet fuel in compliance with EU mandates and international technical standards, ensuring optimal performance and safety.
SAF Business Solutions
As a longstanding partner to the aviation industry, we bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the emerging market. Our new SAF Business Solutions program allows companies to purchase credits linked to the use of SAF, which they can use in their Scope 3 reporting for business travel and air freight.
Former tennis professional and Grand Slam winner Dominic Thiem uses SAF certificates for his business air travel.