OMV Petrom buys 50% of Romanian UCO collector

In Romania, OMV Petrom, the largest integrated energy company in Southeastern Europe, has signed an agreement to purchase 50% of the shares of the Romanian company “Respiră Verde”, a local leader in the collection of used cooking oil. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2024, after fulfillment of certain conditions, including the clearance of the Competition Council and of the Commission for Screening of Foreign Direct Investments. 

Founded 12 years ago, “Respiră Verde” collects up to 10,000 tons of used cooking oil per year from companies active in sectors such as hospitality (hotels, restaurants) and retail. The company has its own transport fleet, and it operates two main warehouses, in Bihor and Ialomița. It aims to expand its activity on other European markets in the near future.  

OMV Petrom has taken important steps to increase the share of biofuels. In 2022, Petrobrazi became the first ISCC2-certified refinery in the country capable of producing SAF and HVO by co-processing biological feedstocks. OMV Petrom is considering expanding its production capacity to produce sustainable fuels from a wide range of residual feedstocks, such as used cooking oil.