OMV, a leading integrated energy and chemicals company, marked a significant milestone on May 28 in its decarbonization and circularity strategy with the official inauguration of its state-of-the-art ReOil chemical recycling plant and a 10 MW electrolyzer facility at the Schwechat refinery near Vienna. The event, themed ‘From Innovation to Impact: Forward for Good,’ also saw OMV announce a pivotal final investment decision for a massive 140 MW green hydrogen plant in Lower Austria, poised to be one of Europe’s largest.

The proprietary ReOil chemical recycling plant represents a major leap in circularity, converting hard-to-recycle plastics into virgin-quality products. This innovative process is expected to significantly reduce environmental impact by diverting plastics from landfills and fostering a more sustainable economy. Complementing this, the new 10 MW electrolyzer facility, now Austria's largest of its kind, boasts an annual production capacity of up to 1,500 tons of green hydrogen. This facility, successfully completed in partnership with Kommunalkredit at the end of 2024, has already been certified as Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) under the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) legislation, underscoring its environmental credentials.

Alfred Stern emphasized the strategic importance of these developments, stating, "This inauguration marks a decisive step in our Strategy 2030. It is driven by one clear ambition: to become an integrated sustainable chemicals, fuels, and energy company, while remaining steadfast in our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050." He further noted how these transformative technologies would allow OMV to meet evolving customer needs by strengthening the link between refining and chemical production, leading to greater efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability.

Adding to the excitement, OMV revealed its final investment decision for a mid-three-digit million-euro sum in a new flagship green hydrogen plant in Bruck an der Leitha, Lower Austria. This ambitious project, subject to a positive outcome of the European and Austrian Hydrogen Bank auction, will feature a 140 MW electrolysis facility. Upon its expected start-up at the end of 2027, the plant is projected to produce up to 23,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, making it one of the largest such facilities in Europe. This substantial output is anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 150,000 tons per year, equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 20,000 people.

These initiatives firmly position OMV as a frontrunner in industrial transformation, demonstrating a clear commitment to sustainable practices and the development of innovative solutions for a greener future.