MOL Group has successfully produced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava. Independent specialist laboratory Isotoptech Zrt verified the quality of both products through radioisotope analysis. This successful production test confirms MOL Group’s technological readiness to produce alternative synthetic fuels as part of its long-term “SHAPE TOMORROW” strategy.
Innovative HVO Diesel Production
At the Bratislava refinery, MOL Group produced HVO biodiesel using oil derived from cashew nut shells. The company processed this biocomponent together with crude oil through a method called co-processing.
The approach, already in use at the Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, reduces emissions by combining plant residues with fossil components during production.
The production test proved successful. Analysis conducted by Isotoptech Zrt confirmed that the diesel product meets the required HVO ratio. This achievement strengthens MOL Group’s commitment to producing cleaner, more sustainable fuels.
Pioneering Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Simultaneously, the Bratislava refinery successfully tested the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using the same co-processing technology.
In this case, MOL Group processed partially refined cooking oil alongside traditional raw materials. The test confirmed that the refinery’s existing production unit, designed for standard aviation kerosene, is also capable of producing SAF.
The milestone positions Slovnaft as one of the first refineries in the world to produce SAF that meets stringent quality standards.
As EU regulations require SAF to comprise 2% of total aviation fuel consumption starting this year—with targets increasing to 6% by 2030, 20% by 2035, and 70% by 2050—this development underscores MOL Group’s readiness to support the energy transition.
Leadership Perspectives on Innovation
Csaba Zsótér, Senior Vice President of Fuels at MOL Group, stated, “We are technologically ready to produce biodiesel of vegetable origin as well as sustainable aviation fuel. This opens a new chapter in our sustainability efforts. We are offering customers an increasing variety and quantity of fuels, thus contributing to the smart energy transition”.
Gabriel Szabó, Vice Chairman of the Slovnaft Management Board and Vice President Downstream of MOL Group, highlighted, “Passing this test confirms our position as a key player in the Central and Eastern European region. We must preserve and develop our chemical production expertise to align with the company’s future direction”.
Commitment to Future Collaboration
MOL Group and Slovnaft continue to advance their sustainable fuel initiatives. They collaborate with the Faculty of Aeronautics at the Technical University of Košice to further test SAF aviation fuel.
As per the press release, by investing in research and innovative technologies, MOL Group remains committed to driving the transition toward cleaner energy and meeting evolving environmental regulations.
