OMV Petrom, described as the largest energy producer in South-Eastern Europe, has announced two new strategic partnerships with Romanian companies aimed at expanding its position in the bitumen sector. The initiative is linked to the rapid expansion and modernization of Romania’s road infrastructure. OMV Petrom said it is already an established player in the bitumen market.
Radu Caprau, an Executive Board Member responsible for Refining and Marketing, said reliable access to high-quality bitumen is needed for long-term infrastructure development. He stated that the company’s goal is to double the volume available for the local market by expanding storage capacity and introducing a premium product for long-lasting roads used by heavy traffic. Caprau added that OMV Petrom has signed partnerships with two Romanian companies to support this plan.
Unicom Holding partnership to increase storage capacity
A key element of the expansion is OMV Petrom’s collaboration with Unicom Holding in Galați. The partnership is intended to increase national bitumen storage capacity. OMV Petrom said it will also cut delivery times to under 24 hours.
The company said the changes are designed to improve reliability of supply for major construction projects in Romania. The announcement places the storage expansion and faster deliveries within the broader effort to support road infrastructure modernization. No additional project locations beyond Galați were specified in the provided information.
Bitum Truck collaboration for polymer-modified Starfalt PmB
OMV Petrom also said it is partnering with Bitum Truck in Bucharest to produce OMV Petrom Starfalt PmB. The company stated that Bitum Truck specializes in bitumen transport, distribution, and construction solutions, particularly for road infrastructure. OMV Petrom tied the product to the production of durable asphalt mixes requiring high-performance bitumen.
According to OMV Petrom, Starfalt PmB is engineered for roads exposed to heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions. Asphalt mixes containing the product are described as delivering longevity, deformation resistance, stability, and protection against cracking linked to low temperatures or fatigue. The company also stated that asphalt mixes using this binder are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifecycle.
Technology, production approach, and global track record
OMV Petrom said Starfalt PmB uses elastomer-modified technology developed in its laboratories. It described nearly 40 years of expertise in polymer-modified bitumen and said its patented production process will be replicated locally in Romania. The company stated that its bitumen products are derived from carefully selected crude oils and manufactured through gentle distillation.
Globally, OMV Petrom said it has delivered more than 2.5 million metric tons of Starfalt PmB. The company also noted that bitumen has been used as a construction material for over 4,000 years, originally as natural asphalt in ancient engineering. It added that modern construction relies on refined materials made from specialized components of processed crude oil.
OMV Petrom linked the partnerships to broader European efforts related to modernizing transportation networks and integrating advanced materials into critical construction sectors. It also referenced reducing environmental impact as part of those efforts. The provided information did not specify any regulatory targets or timelines beyond these general aims.