OMV Petrom, the largest energy producer in South-Eastern Europe, is advancing its position in the bitumen sector through two new strategic partnerships with Romanian companies—an initiative designed to support the rapid expansion and modernization of Romania’s road infrastructure. Although the company is already an established player in the bitumen market, these collaborations mark a significant step toward boosting domestic supply and improving the quality of national construction projects.
Radu Caprau, Executive Board Member responsible for Refining and Marketing, emphasizes that reliable access to high-quality bitumen is essential for Romania’s long-term infrastructure development. “We all want Romania to have extensive, modern, and durable road networks, and ensuring bitumen availability is a key part of that vision. Our goal is to double the volume available for the local market by expanding storage capacity and introducing a premium product vital for long-lasting, heavy-traffic roads. To achieve this, we have signed partnerships with two Romanian companies,” Caprau said.
A major component of this expansion is OMV Petrom’s collaboration with Unicom Holding in Galați. The partnership aims to significantly increase national bitumen storage capacity, cutting delivery times to under 24 hours and enhancing the reliability of supply for major construction projects.
At the same time, OMV Petrom is joining forces with Bitum Truck in Bucharest to produce OMV Petrom Starfalt PmB, a premium polymer-modified bitumen. Bitum Truck specializes in bitumen transport, distribution, and solutions for construction—particularly the road infrastructure sector, where high-performance bitumen is essential for producing durable asphalt mixes.
OMV Petrom Starfalt PmB is specifically engineered for roads exposed to heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions. Asphalt mixes containing this product deliver exceptional longevity, superior deformation resistance, enhanced stability, and strong protection against cracking caused by low temperatures or fatigue. Importantly, these asphalt mixes are also 100% recyclable at the end of their lifecycle—supporting Romania’s environmental and sustainability goals.
The premium binder is produced using elastomer-modified technology developed in OMV’s laboratories. Backed by nearly 40 years of expertise in polymer-modified bitumen, the company’s patented production process will now be replicated locally in Romania. OMV’s bitumen products are derived from carefully selected crude oils and manufactured through gentle distillation to ensure top-tier quality. Globally, OMV has delivered more than 2.5 million metric tons of Starfalt PmB, underscoring its proven performance and reliability.
Bitumen itself has been a critical construction material for over 4,000 years, originally used as natural asphalt in ancient engineering. Today, modern construction demands a highly refined material made from specialized components of processed crude oil—capable of meeting rigorous standards for durability, safety, and sustainability.
Through these new partnerships, OMV Petrom is not only reinforcing Romania’s infrastructure but also contributing to broader European efforts to modernize transportation networks, reduce environmental impact, and integrate advanced materials into critical construction sectors.
