Stories of Impact - Forward for Good

Welcome to another edition of Stories of Impact. This issue, we’re shining a spotlight on the dual roles of innovation and investment in shaping a more sustainable future for energy and materials. From the start-up of our new ReOil® chemical recycling plant to our SAF and HVO project in Romania, we're sharing stories that show what transformation looks like in practice.

You’ll also hear from some of the people driving this change—including our CEO Alfred Stern, who joined the World Economic Forum podcast Meet the Leader, and Angelika Zartl-Klik, who spoke to ORF Eco about how geothermal energy is transforming district heating in Vienna.

Topics covered in this edition:

• ReOil®: From innovative technology to industrial-scale impact

• Scaling up sustainable fuels in Romania

• Alfred Stern on the WEF’s ‘Meet the Leader’ podcast

• Angelika Zartl-Klik talks to ORF Eco about geothermal energy in Vienna

• Spotlighting the OMV Tech Center Lab on World Creativity Day

• Alfred Stern: Borouge Group International is “a game-changer for us and the industry”

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ReOil®: From innovative technology to industrial-scale impact

Our new ReOil® plant is now up and running.  With a planned annual recycling capacity of 16,000 metric tons of end-of-life plastic, it’s a major milestone—not just for us, but for broader industry efforts to create circular feedstocks and reduce reliance on fossil resources.

Starting up a chemical recycling plant is anything but simple. In our latest story, Senior Process Engineer Rene Bonholzer shares what it took to bring ReOil® from lab bench to fully operational facility—from building the pilot plant to solving logistical and technical challenges in preparation for industrial-scale operations. Read more in our story.

And this is only the beginning. ReOil® is a proven, highly scalable technology that’s designed to fit into existing industrial setups—making it ideal for wider adoption. Through our partnership with Wood, we aim to license ReOil worldwide and support others to turn end-of-life plastic into circular feedstock. Watch the video to find out how we’re taking ReOil® global.

Scaling up sustainable fuels in Romania

Sustainable fuels are at the cutting-edge of energy innovation. However, creating and scaling them is a complex process that demands significant technological expertise and substantial financial commitment.

These come together in a new SAF and HVO plant at OMV Petrom’s Petrobrazi refinery in Romania. We’re investing EUR 750 million in the facility, which will have the capacity to produce 250,000 metric tons of sustainable fuels per year.

It’s an important milestone on our path to producing 1.5 million tons of sustainable fuels by 2030—and part of our commitment to supporting more sustainable mobility on the road and in the air. Find out how this project supports the decarbonization of transport.

Alfred Stern on the WEF’s ‘Meet the Leader’ podcast

As global energy demand rises, we’re committed to  delivering energy that is secure, affordable, and sustainable—which is why bold innovation and cutting-edge technology are essential.

In the latest episode of the ‘Meet the Leader’ podcast by the World Economic Forum, our CEO Alfred Stern shares how we’re using sustainability as a driver of both innovation and growth.

Alfred discusses major innovation efforts, including our ‘deeep’ geothermal heating project, and the need to bring core practices—from permitting to methane measurement—up to date. He also reflects on good leadership and what his background in research has taught him about the difference between inventing and innovating. Listen to the podcast to learn more.

Angelika Zartl-Klik talks to ORF Eco about geothermal energy in Vienna

Our ‘deeep’ joint venture with Wien Energie GmbH marks real progress toward a low-carbon energy future for Vienna. Together, we’re building up geothermal capacity to decarbonize district heating for up to 200,000 households—equivalent to 200 MW.

Speaking on Austria’s public television program ORF Eco, Angelika Zartl-Klik, Senior Vice President Low Carbon Business, highlighted the scale of the opportunity: “In the first 10 kilometers of our Earth's surface, there is 50,000 times more energy than all the oil, gas, and coal reserves on Earth combined, and we use this to generate heat.”

Watch the full segment (in German) to learn more about how geothermal energy can support secure, local, and low-carbon heat.

Spotlighting the OMV Tech Center Lab on World Creativity Day

We’re proud to celebrate the creativity and innovation happening every day at our Tech Center Lab in Gänserndorf, Austria.

Around 30km from Vienna, our team provides customized laboratory solutions for the full lifecycle of energy projects, covering everything from geothermal to carbon capture and storage.

The lab’s mission is to deliver value for both our customers and the environment through high-quality data, interdisciplinary expertise, and practical operational competence. It’s another way we’re supporting a more sustainable future through innovation.

Find out more about the OMV Tech Center Lab.

Alfred Stern: Borouge Group International is “a game-changer for us and the industry”

Last month, OMV and ADNOC announced the creation of Borouge Group International, marking a milestone both for us and the global chemicals industry. The new company will bring together Borealis and Borouge and acquire NOVA Chemicals to create the world’s fourth-largest polyolefins producer, with an enterprise value of over USD 60 billion.

Our CEO Alfred Stern explains why this transaction is so significant, highlighting its role in delivering our Strategy 2030 ambitions, as well as the long-term benefits for Austria and our shareholders.

Read the interview to find out more about how this move strengthens innovation, expands our global reach, and positions Austria as a hub for international chemical leadership.