OMV Petrom has commissioned a new aromatics production unit at its Petrobrazi refinery, following an investment of €140 million.
The new installation replaces equipment that has been in operation since 1961 and is designed to increase the refinery’s output of aromatic compounds and high-octane fuel components.
A key function of the unit is the extraction of benzene from gasoline streams, enabling the production of fuels that comply with current European fuel standards. The facility will also boost production of toluene, a petrochemical feedstock used in manufacturing paints, coatings, and adhesives.
After commissioning, annual toluene output is expected to increase by around 50,000 tons, reaching a total capacity of approximately 100,000 tons per year.
According to the company, the new unit will also enhance energy efficiency and reduce operational emissions compared to the equipment it replaces. Since acquiring the refinery, OMV Petrom has invested more than €2 billion in modernization projects at Petrobrazi.
The company is also developing another major project at the site, a €750 million investment that includes facilities for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and green hydrogen production.
