Expert Insights with Nina Marczell, OMV: Overcoming scale-up challenges
Nina Marczell
SVP – Industrial Sales & Marketing, Fuels & Feedstock
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OMV
Nina Marczell leads the Industrial Sales & Marketing business unit in the Fuels & Feedstock division. With extensive experience in B2B sales, she and her team work closely with OMV’s key customers to drive solutions for the mobility transition. The strategic focus includes the development and production of more sustainable fuels as OMV aims to become a leading European pioneer in these areas.
In this interview, she shares how they are addressing key challenges in scaling SAF production, such as feedstock availability and regulatory hurdles, through strategic partnerships, innovation, and investment in new facilities.
Thinking about OMV's significant investment in and commitment to producing SAF in Europe, what are the biggest hurdles to scaling, and how is OMV addressing them?
Air travel contributes approximately 2.5% of global carbon emissions. However, researchers at the University of Cambridge have shown that aviation can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 if we act urgently. A key part of this effort is scaling up the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market, and the ReFuelEU mandate is a significant step towards this goal. We are committed to working closely with our customers to meet their needs. Given the substantial impact of mobility and energy on CO2 emissions, we are convinced that finding new, environmentally friendly ways to provide these products is essential. As the demand for mobility increases, the global production capacity for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will remain a challenge and must be significantly and rapidly expanded. Achieving this will require substantial investment, political support, and technological innovation.
With the EU’s ReFuelEU mandate set to increase SAF adoption, how is OMV positioning itself to meet rising demand from airlines?
With the ReFuelEU aviation policy, Europe is now regulating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Starting this year, major EU airports must blend 2% SAF into their fuel. This regulation applies to airports handling over 800,000 passengers or 100,000 tons of cargo annually. At OMV, we're prepared to supply our customers with the required SAF. We welcome the ReFuelEU regulation as an important step in signaling long-term demand for SAF. By setting defined targets, it provides a framework for scaling production and encouraging investment in infrastructure. However, to meet future regulations and further reduce aviation emissions, significantly more SAF will be needed. It's clear that a global landscape of varying regulations and incentives will require teamwork and strong alliances among all aviation stakeholders to succeed. At OMV, we have clear plans to significantly scale up our SAF production over the coming years by investing in new production facilities. Recently, we held the groundbreaking ceremony for the new SAF/HVO unit at our refinery in Romania.
Feedstock availability is a key challenge for SAF production - do you see a need to diversify feedstock options?
Yes, this is something we see as essential, and we are exploring. We are testing new raw materials with our innovation teams. The use of a wider range of feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry residues and municipal waste, could significantly expand the potential for SAF production. Additionally, we are developing alternative SAF production pathways beyond the technologies currently in use. We are always seeking close alignment with our partners and customers. Recently, we entered a transformative partnership with Airbus. Our joint main purpose is to advance the decarbonization of the aviation industry and we focus on three key areas: SAF demand aggregation, SAF technical leadership and advocacy. We will examine EU framework conditions, as well as explore ways to accelerate the testing, evaluation, and approval of new feedstocks and production pathways to make SAF available more quickly. Also, our plant under construction at the Petrobrazi refinery is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for a variety of feedstocks and finished products to meet market needs.
What further policy and regulatory measures would be most effective in supporting and driving SAF production and investment in Europe?
The EU has implemented stringent regulations to ensure that only genuine SAF and approved raw materials are used for production. These strict certification criteria and raw material guidelines are designed to make SAF production ReFuelEU-proof, providing a safeguard against misuse. However, these regulations also pose challenges, particularly in scaling up SAF production, as they can limit available capacity and increase market prices. In addition, stable, long-term investment incentives would encourage investment in renewable fuel production. To address these challenges, it is crucial for all aviation industry stakeholders to collaborate. Airlines, fuel producers, governmental institutions, and aircraft manufacturers must exchange ideas and information. This first year of the mandate is vital for identifying beneficial practices and addressing obstacles. Enhanced collaboration will help streamline processes, improve efficiency, and ultimately support the growth of SAF production and investment in Europe.
SAF production is still limited compared to demand. How is OMV working with airlines and other stakeholders to secure long-term supply agreements and accelerate deployment?
As mentioned earlier, achieving this goal requires collaboration and strong alliances among all stakeholders. We've partnered with Airbus to broaden voluntary access to SAF. Together, we aim to stimulate demand, drive adoption in new segments, and support investment in large-scale production facilities. Since 2023, we are working together with Microsoft. Microsoft have chosen our unique SAF Business Solutions program to help reduce their Scope 3 emissions. The program uses ISCC-accredited certificates to track and verify the environmental benefits of using SAF, enabling companies to credibly reduce emissions associated with air travel and logistics. This partnership not only supports Microsoft’s emissions reductions but also sends a strong signal to encourage greater investment in alternative fuels and accelerate the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market.
Looking ahead, what are OMV’s key priorities for SAF expansion, and what milestones do you aim to achieve in the next five or ten years?
SAF is a key priority for us at OMV and one of the three lighthouse projects we've identified to achieve our Strategy 2030. Our goal is to become a leading European producer of sustainable fuels. We will increase our production capacity to up to 1.5 million tons for renewable fuels and chemical feedstock per year by 2030 – with SAF making up a substantial portion. We are investing in new production facilities at our refinery sites in Austria, Germany, and Romania. Construction on the new facility at our refinery in Petrobrazi, Romania began in February 2025. Once operational, it will position us as the first major producer of sustainable fuels in Southeast Europe. This ambitious project includes a plant with a production capacity of 250 kt/year of combined SAF and renewable diesel (HVO), supported by two green hydrogen plants. From 2028, the new facility will significantly boost our capacity to produce sustainable fuels, ensuring our customers have access to a reliable supply of lower-carbon energy options and demonstrating our commitment to supporting the energy transition.
The journey to net-zero aviation has just begun, but I'm confident in our direction. Let's join forces for a circular and sustainable future.