The agreement is in line with the decarbonisation goals of Eni and Saipem, and it focuses on the study for, and subsequent potential construction, of plants for the production of biojet, a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and of the biofuel HVO diesel, produced from 100% renewable raw materials (pursuant to EU Directive 2018/2001 'REDII'). HVO diesel is on sale at Enilive service stations under the name HVOlution and can be used across road, naval and rail transport.
The agreement involves the application of Eni's proprietary Ecofining™ technology for both the development of new biorefineries and the conversion of traditional refineries, combining Eni's technological and operational experience with Saipem's expertise in the design and construction of this type of plant.
Eni was the first company in the world to convert two traditional refineries into biorefineries, in Venice, Porto Marghera, Italy, and Gela, Sicily, Italy, for the processing of waste feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, animal fats, agro-food industry residues and vegetable oils, using Ecofining technology. Saipem provided support on both projects.
Eni plans to expand its biorefining capacity from the current 1.65 million tpy to over 5 million tpy by 2030.