OMV, Airbus team up for SAF
Austrian multinational integrated oil, gas and petrochemical company OMV and European aerospace manufacturer Airbus announced a partnership to decarbonise aviation through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Under the agreement, the two companies will explore joint solutions to broaden the voluntary access to SAF for various customer groups, aimed at stimulating new demand and thereby supporting large-scale investments in new SAF production facilities.
“Joining forces with OMV, a leading European energy partner, is another important step on our journey towards the production and deployment of SAFs at scale. This partnership fits perfectly with Airbus’ ambition to enable a global net-zero aviation sector and we look forward to working with OMV to deliver on shared objectives,” added Julie Kitcher, chief sustainability officer & communications at Airbus.
The two companies will also review opportunities to accelerate the testing, evaluation, and approval of new feedstocks, as well as new production pathways to make SAF available more quickly.
In addition, both partners commit to jointly raising awareness and understanding of SAF, acknowledging the significant role that regulations and policy play in the transition to renewable fuels.
“Transformative partnerships across the aviation value chain are crucial for building a robust SAF industry and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future… We are proud to lead on this journey, driving progress and creating a lasting positive impact on both the aviation industry and the environment. SAF is a cornerstone of OMV’s Strategy 2030 and our path to climate neutrality,” said Martijn van Koten, member of the executive board and executive vice president fuels & feedstock, OMV AG.
OMV has been producing SAF via co-processing at its Schwechat refinery in Austria using locally-sourced raw materials such as used cooking oil.
OMV is already supplying SAF to several airlines at the Vienna airport and has signed agreements to deliver a cumulative total of 1.5m tons of SAF by 2030.
In Romania, OMV Petrom made the final investment decision in June 2024 to build a SAF/HVO facility along with two green hydrogen facilities at the Petrobrazi refinery.