OMV to start butadiene production in Germany, Austria

VIENNA, AUSTRIA: OMV has taken a strategic investment decision for butadiene production at its two refinery sites, Burghausen (Germany) and Schwechat (Austria) as part of its Refining & Marketing strategy. Around €230 million has been earmarked for building a new butadiene plant in the Burghausen refinery’s petrochemical part and upgrading the existing plant in Schwechat. OMV is thereby making another early move in expanding the refinery market and driving forward the ongoing optimization and integration of its multiple refineries.

The extended butadiene plant in Schwechat is expected to start operations in June 2014, while the operational start of the new construction in Burghausen is planned for the second quarter of 2015.

“We are investing in these facilities in order to build on the synergies from our sites in Burghausen and Schwechat as regards petrochemicals. By optimizing our production portfolio we gain a significant additional increase in earnings potential and can improve our competitive position long-term,” said Manfred Leitner, Executive Board member responsible for Refining and Marketing, OMV.

“This is why OMV’s refining focus continues to involve petrochemicals and the investment in producing essential materials for the emerging growth markets. OMV has been producing butadiene in Schwechat for decades. We are convinced that we can exploit economies of scale and synergies between the two refineries as regards the planned extension and new construction at the butadiene plants at our Schwechat and Burghausen sites. In future these two sites will enable OMV to cover around six per cent of total butadiene production in Europe,” added Leitner.

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