Germany Oil Refining Market Overview, 2030

Germany’s oil refining industry is composed of a network of complex refineries distributed mainly between the western and eastern parts of the country. The western region, especially North Rhine-Westphalia, hosts large-scale refineries operated by multinational corporations such as Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies, while eastern Germany’s refining capacity includes facilities managed by independent companies like PCK Raffinerie in Schwedt. Historically, eastern refineries depended heavily on Russian crude imports, but recent geopolitical events, notably the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have disrupted this supply and prompted diversification efforts. Germany’s refining infrastructure supports both domestic fuel needs and exports within Europe. The sector is strongly influenced by the country’s commitment to energy security, particularly following concerns over dependency on Russian energy sources. Efforts to source crude from Norway, the Middle East, and North Africa have intensified, with increased investments in pipeline connections and port facilities for crude imports. The European Green Deal also shapes Germany’s refining landscape by promoting carbon neutrality goals, accelerating the transition to low-emission fuels, and encouraging refinery upgrades to meet stricter environmental standards. This includes investments in hydrogen technology, biofuel production, and carbon capture initiatives. Germany’s refining sector is positioned at the intersection of traditional fossil fuel processing and emerging clean energy pathways, balancing its role as a critical energy supplier with increasing environmental responsibilities.

According to the research report ""Germany Oil Refining Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Germany Oil Refining market is anticipated to grow at more than 3.91% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Germany operates one of the largest and most integrated oil refining sectors in Europe, with 11 active refineries as of 2024, representing a total nameplate capacity of over 2 million barrels per day, the highest in the European Union. Major refineries include MiRO (Mineraloelraffinerie Oberrhein) in Karlsruhe, Rheinland Refinery (Shell) near Cologne, and Ingolstadt Refinery (Gunvor), all of which play critical roles in meeting national demand. MiRO alone accounts for around 310,000 barrels per day, making it Germany’s largest. Refineries are strategically located close to key population centers and infrastructure corridors, ensuring regional fuel availability through a network of rail, truck, barge, and pipeline distribution. In 2023, Germany processed more than 70 million tonnes of crude oil, with domestic refining throughput fluctuating due to shifts in feedstock sourcing, environmental compliance requirements, and plant upgrades. Historically reliant on Russian Urals crude, which once accounted for nearly 40% of total crude input, Germany has diversified its sourcing post-2022, with increased imports from Norway, the U.S., Kazakhstan, and Iraq, supported by the expansion of marine terminals at Wilhelmshaven, Rostock, and Brunsbüttel. Inland refineries like Schwedt (PCK) and Leuna (TotalEnergies) have adapted to logistics changes via the Druzhba pipeline restrictions and increased rail-borne crude supply. German refinery output supports a wide array of domestic consumption, including transportation fuels, aviation, industrial lubricants, petrochemical feedstocks, and bitumen.

Gasoline demand in Germany is largely driven by private passenger car fleets, despite ongoing policy pushes for electrification and reduced fossil fuel dependence. Gasoline consumption remains significant in urban and suburban areas, where hybrid and conventional vehicles still dominate the roads. Diesel fuel continues to play a prominent role, especially in logistics, commercial transportation, and agriculture sectors, where its energy density and efficiency make it preferable for long-haul freight and heavy machinery. However, diesel demand has been impacted by tightening emission standards and the gradual phase-out of older diesel vehicles in major cities under low-emission zones. Jet fuel consumption centers on major international airports such as Frankfurt and Munich, which serve as key hubs for both passenger and cargo flights. Following COVID-19, jet fuel demand has gradually recovered, boosted by renewed domestic and European travel, though supply chain disruptions and sustainability concerns are influencing airlines’ fuel choices. Lubricants and asphalt maintain steady demand tied to Germany’s extensive heavy industry and infrastructure projects, supporting machinery, automotive production, and road construction efforts. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) usage persists in niche industrial applications and some residential sectors, particularly in rural areas lacking natural gas pipeline access. LPG is also employed in agriculture for heating and crop drying. The fuel type landscape in Germany reflects a mature market balancing legacy fuels with emerging cleaner alternatives, including hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), though fossil fuels remain central to transport and industry. Recent developments include increased fuel quality standards aligned with EU regulations and growing experimentation with biofuel blends and synthetic fuels, aimed at reducing carbon intensity while meeting existing fuel infrastructure and vehicle compatibility.

Transportation is the leading application for refined fuels in Germany, encompassing passenger vehicles, freight transport, public transit, and commercial fleets. Despite policy support for electric vehicles, internal combustion engines still dominate fuel consumption, making road transport the largest end-user segment. Aviation fuel demand is rebounding post-COVID, driven by the recovery of international and domestic air travel. Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, significantly contributes to jet fuel consumption, alongside Munich and Düsseldorf airports. Airlines increasingly explore sustainable aviation fuel options to meet carbon reduction targets, although fossil-based jet fuel remains dominant. Marine bunkering is limited due to Germany’s relatively smaller commercial shipping sector compared to global hubs, however, ports like Hamburg and Bremen serve regional shipping demands and are gradually adopting low-sulfur fuels under IMO 2020 regulations. The petrochemical industry, concentrated in regions such as the Ruhr and Ludwigshafen, relies heavily on refinery outputs as feedstock for plastics, chemicals, and synthetic materials production, sustaining demand for naphtha and other intermediate products. Residential heating oil use is in decline due to widespread natural gas infrastructure, building efficiency improvements, and renewable heating alternatives. Nonetheless, heating oil still serves some older buildings and rural homes not yet connected to gas grids. Germany’s fuel consumption by application shows a mature economy balancing traditional fuel use with emerging clean energy trends, and ongoing government incentives aim to accelerate the transition toward greener mobility and energy solutions.

Germany’s refining sector has undergone a significant shift in crude feedstock sourcing since the geopolitical tensions arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Historically reliant on Russian Urals crude, refineries have restructured supply chains toward North Sea Brent crude and Middle Eastern heavy crudes to reduce dependency on Russian oil. This transition has involved logistical challenges and adjustments in refinery processing to accommodate different crude qualities, impacting refinery yields and operational costs. NGL imports, primarily from the Netherlands and Norway, enter through terminal facilities supporting LPG and petrochemical feedstock demand. Germany is also exploring bio-based feedstock adoption through pilot projects involving hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) and other renewable sources as part of the EU’s Green Deal targets. These initiatives aim to integrate sustainable feedstocks into refinery operations to lower carbon intensity. Post-embargo crude supply restructuring has accelerated investments in feedstock diversification, including long-term contracts with alternative suppliers in the Middle East and West Africa. This shift aligns with EU sanctions and the broader energy security agenda to minimize exposure to geopolitical risks. Additionally, refinery operators are investing in blending technologies to optimize heavy crude processing and meet stricter environmental regulations. While the feedstock profile remains dominated by conventional crude, increasing attention to renewable feedstocks and circular economy principles is shaping the future supply mix. Refining flexibility and feedstock adaptability have become critical competitive factors amid volatile global oil markets and evolving climate policies.

Germany hosts a mix of refinery complexity levels, with high-complexity refineries located primarily in the Rheinland and Karlsruhe regions. These facilities feature advanced processing units such as catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, and coking, allowing them to maximize production of high-value fuels from heavy and medium crude oils. Eastern Germany’s refineries, including Leuna and Schwedt, historically processed Russian crude but have recently adapted to alternative feedstock due to supply disruptions. Investments have been focused on desulfurization upgrades to comply with stringent EU sulfur limits and to produce cleaner fuels. The integration of renewable hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capabilities is expanding, driven by government incentives and industry commitments to decarbonization. Despite these advancements, there are limited new greenfield refinery projects due to market saturation and the shift toward renewables, with most investment channeled into retrofits and efficiency improvements of existing assets. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) trials are underway at select sites, aiming to reduce refinery CO2 emissions in line with Germany’s climate targets. The refinery complexity profile reflects a mature, technologically advanced sector focused on balancing operational flexibility, environmental compliance, and evolving product demand in a decarbonizing energy landscape. In 2023, diesel fuel accounted for over 60% of road transport consumption, while gasoline demand remained steady in urban zones. Refineries also produce heating oil, although its usage has declined.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Oil Refining Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Fule Type
• Gasoline
• Diesel/Gasoil
• Jet Fuel
• LPG
• Fuel Oil
• Others (Lubricants, Asphalt)

By Application
• Road Transportation
• Aviation
• Marine Bunker
• Petrochemical Industry
• Residential & Commercial
• Electricity Generation
• Others (Rail & Domestic Waterways, Agriculture)

By Feedstock
• Crude Oil
• Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs)
• Biomass
• Others (Coal Tar, etc.)

By Complexity Type
• Topping
• Hydro-skimming
• Conversion
• Deep Conversion
• Others Show more