High School Chemistry Students Visit Vienna’s Refinery

Last week, our high school chemistry students had an exciting and educational trip to Vienna’s Refinery — one of the largest and most advanced in Central Europe. The visit gave students a firsthand look at real-world applications of the chemistry concepts they’ve been studying in class.

The day began with a fascinating presentation by a member of the refinery’s Innovation Crew. The presenter was not only highly knowledgeable but also very friendly and engaging, making complex topics understandable and fun. Students learned about the refinery’s role in transforming crude oil into valuable products like fuel, plastics, and sustainable energy sources.

Following the presentation, the students boarded a bus for a guided tour through the refinery’s extensive premises, which span approximately 2 square kilometers and employ over 20,000 people. They were amazed to learn that crude oil arrives at the refinery through a 35 cm-wide pipeline that stretches all the way from Trieste, Italy — a journey that brings oil from around the world directly to Vienna.

During the tour, students saw key parts of the refinery, including the plastic production section, massive storage tanks, and the innovative new areas dedicated to producing sustainable aircraft fuel. One of the most impressive aspects of the visit was learning how committed the company is to sustainability and recycling. Even the waste from distillation and cracking processes is reused — it’s sent back as synthetic crude oil and processed again, demonstrating a smart circular approach to resource use.

The refinery has set an ambitious goal to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050, showing strong leadership in the transition to cleaner energy and greener industry practices.

Throughout the visit, students asked thoughtful questions and made insightful connections to what they’ve studied in class. It was truly rewarding to see how much of the chemistry curriculum came to life during this experience. Seeing chemical processes on such a large industrial scale helped students understand how chemistry is applied in the real world — from fuels and materials to sustainability and innovation.

Overall, it was an eye-opening experience that sparked curiosity and deepened students’ appreciation for the power and importance of chemistry in shaping our future.