Eni resolves to make the World largest chemical complex from renewable feedstocks in the petrochemical centre of Porto Torres, convert fossil based production and source electricity from renewables.

Through its subsidiary, Versalis, Eni has established an industrial conversion project for the Porto Torres, Sardinia, petrochemical industrial area through a partnership with Novamont (Joint Venture company: Matrìca). The conversion will lead to an integrated bio-chemical complex to be implemented in three phases: by ending 2013 a bio-monomers and bio-lubricants plants will come on stream; by 2015 it will be the turn of a bio-additives for tyres and a bio-fillers plants; by 2016 additional, larger in size, bio-monomers and bio-lubricants plants, and a bioplastics plant will be started up. The bio-chemical complex products will be totally renewable and most of them biodegradable. The need for bio-feedstock will be met by integrating the project with local agriculture: an upstream value-chain will be developed to cultivate oleaginous seeds covering up to 40-50 thousands hectares in a way that does not clash with land use for food production (marginal and mainly uncultivated land, rain fed, and grazing land).

The leftover from agriculture production will be mainly used to feed the biomass power plant Enipower is mandated to establish and which will ensure about 50% of bio-chemical complex electricity needs and the complete steam needs. Moreover, remains from seeds crushing, rich in proteins, will be devoted to zootechnics (animal food), and further initiatives are already in development pipeline targeted to use bio-sugars for fermentation productions in order to maximize the exploitation of the biomass. The full industrial initiative, as well as the research centre and its cooperation with the Matrìca parties, Novamont and Versalis, and with the universities of the territory, will also stimulate local enterprises to develop the downstream integration for production of bio-based goods such as shoppers, cling films, catering articles, etc.

Eni also aims to earmark 450 million Euros for the industry conversion and 230 million for the establishment of the power plant. 50 million are being allocated to create a research centre on bio-products and green chemistry and in order to establish all the infrastructures needed for the new complex.

Novamont SpA