Italian chemical industry news

• Trinseo Opens PMMA Depolymerization Facility in Italy

  2 July 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The new facility in Rho, Italy, advances sustainable recycling of PMMA, converting it to high-purity MMA. This supports a circular economy and meets high-demand applications like vehicle taillights.
• WACKER and CordenPharma Achieve Pandemic Readiness in June 2024

  23 June 2024

  CDMOPharma

  

  The consortium will produce 80 million mRNA vaccine doses annually if needed, following a successful expansion and qualification phase, ensuring pandemic readiness for at least five years.
• TerraX and SWEN Capital Partners Invest 100M€ in Italian Biomethane Projects

  28 May 2024

  Biobased & CircularEnergy

  

  The joint venture will build over 10 biomethane projects in Italy, aiming to cut transport emissions and reduce chemical fertilizer use. SWIFT 2 fund raised €580M, focusing on renewable gas and hydrogen.
• Arkema Acquires Dow's Laminating Adhesives Business

  2 May 2024

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  The acquisition expands Arkema's flexible packaging solutions, enhancing its market position. The deal includes five production sites and aims for $30M EBITDA synergies in five years. Completion by Q4 2024.
• Yara Reduces Production at Ferrara and Le Havre Plants Due to High Natural Gas Prices

  9 March 2024

  FoodEnergy

  

  Production at these plants will operate at 45% capacity due to high natural gas prices. Yara will monitor the situation and use its global system to maintain supply and food chain continuity.

• Eni Advances Third Bio-Refinery Conversion in Livorno

  29 January 2024

  Biobased & CircularRefineryEnergy

  

  The Livorno site will convert to bio-refining, adding three new plants for hydrogenated biofuels. Completion is expected by 2026, aiming for carbon neutrality and increased biofuel capacity.
• LyondellBasell to Close One of Two Polypropylene Units in Brindisi

  5 September 2023

  Polymers

  

  Consultations with unions begin over potential redundancies. The closure aims to address strategic and financial challenges, focusing on higher value markets. Supply to customers will continue.
• Li-Cycle Begins Operations at First European Battery Recycling Facility in Germany

  1 August 2023

  Base chemistrySpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  The new facility in Magdeburg processes up to 30,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery material annually, using eco-friendly technology. It supports Europe's largest battery market and creates 50 new jobs.
• Borealis to acquire Rialti, a European recycled polypropylene producer

  30 June 2023

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The acquisition adds 50,000 tonnes of recycled PP capacity, enhancing Borealis' circular portfolio and supporting customer demand for sustainable solutions. Regulatory approval pending.
• Solvay to Produce Green Hydrogen for Peroxides in Italy

  6 June 2023

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The Hydrogen Valley Rosignano Project will cut CO2 emissions by 15% using a 756-ton green hydrogen plant powered by a 9.5 MW photovoltaic installation, operational by mid-2026.
• Versalis Invests in Specialized Elastomers Production in Ravenna

  13 April 2023

  PolymersRubber

  

  The Ravenna site will see an €80M investment to boost production of thermoplastic rubbers, polybutadiene, and SBR for the tire and automotive sectors, with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
• EU Approves €450M Italian Aid for Renewable Hydrogen Production

  3 April 2023

  EnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The EU approved a €450M Italian scheme to support renewable hydrogen and electricity production in brownfield areas, aiming to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
• LyondellBasell to Acquire Mepol Group

  13 March 2023

  Biobased & Circular

  

  The acquisition enhances sustainable solutions, combining expertise in recycled compounds. Regulatory approval pending. Mepol will operate independently until closing.
• Solvay Introduces Bio-Circular Silica in Italy

  17 January 2023

  Base chemistryBiobased & Circular

  

  The new silica, made from rice husk ash, will cut CO2 emissions by 50% and support sustainable tire production. Production starts in 2024, with plans for expansion in North America, Asia, and South America.
• NextChem Awards LanzaTech Contract for Rome Hydrogen Valley Project

  24 October 2022

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The engineering phase for the Hydrogen Valley in Rome has begun, focusing on waste-to-chemical technology to produce circular ethanol and hydrogen, with completion expected in 2023.
• Eni Explores Third Bio-Refinery in Livorno

  17 October 2022

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularRefineryEnergy

  

  Eni is studying the feasibility of a new bio-refinery in Livorno, focusing on hydrogenated biofuel production, leveraging existing infrastructure, and aiming for decarbonization and employment stability.
• NextChem Secures €194M for World's First Waste-to-Hydrogen Plant in Rome

  22 September 2022

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The €194M grant will fund a waste-to-hydrogen plant in Rome, producing hydrogen and ethanol by 2027, reducing CO2 emissions, and advancing waste treatment and hydrogen technology.
• EU Commission Approves €5.2 Billion for Hydrogen Project "IPCEI Hy2Use"

  21 September 2022

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The project supports hydrogen infrastructure and technology, involving 35 projects across 13 Member States, with completion by 2036. It aims to boost renewable hydrogen supply and reduce natural gas dependency.
• Investindustrial Sells Benvic to ICIG

  25 August 2022

  

  The sale includes Benvic's compounds business, pending regulatory approval. Benvic's medical activities in Italy remain with Investindustrial. The deal is expected to close by year-end.
• BASF Achieves Certification for Sustainable Coconut Oil in Italy

  26 July 2022

  Food

  

  The site is certified by the Rainforest Alliance, promoting sustainable coconut oil for personal care. The initiative boosts farmer income and supports sustainable practices in the Philippines and Indonesia.
• Enagás to Invest €4.775 Billion in Energy Security and Decarbonisation

  12 July 2022

  Biobased & CircularEnergyIndustrial gasses

  

  The 2022-2030 Strategic Plan focuses on gas and hydrogen infrastructure, innovation, international development, and renewable projects, aiming for 2-4% annual EBITDA growth and carbon neutrality by 2040.
• Vulcan Updates on Zero Carbon Lithium™ Projects in Germany and Italy

  8 July 2022

  SpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  Vulcan collaborates with Enel Green Power on geothermal lithium in Italy and advances its Zero Carbon Lithium™ Project in Germany with positive EIA results and ongoing community support.
• Trinseo Boosts Acrylic Resin Production in Italy

  6 July 2022

  Polymers

  

  The new compounding line in Rho will be operational by Q3 2022, nearly doubling capacity in three years, enhancing product performance, and supporting sustainability goals with lower resource consumption.
• Enel Green Power and EU Sign Agreement for Solar Panel Gigafactory in Sicily

  1 April 2022

  

  The Gigafactory will boost production to 3 GW/year, create 1,000 jobs, and enhance Europe's PV value chain. It aims to reduce energy dependency and promote sustainable, high-efficiency solar technology.
• Stellantis Invests in Termoli Battery Plant with ACC

  23 March 2022

  Specialties

  

  The Termoli plant will be transformed into a battery facility, increasing capacity to 120 GWh by 2030. This supports Stellantis' goal of 5M annual EV sales and 400 GWh battery capacity.
• BASF Expands Plastic Additives Capacity in Italy and Germany

  15 March 2022

  Specialties

  

  Increasing production of light stabilizers to meet rising demand, enhance supply security, and improve operational efficiency for durable plastics in automotive, construction, and greenhouse applications.
• EU Innovation Fund Awards Climate Action Projects

  10 March 2022

  

  The EU Innovation Fund selected 7 projects for EUR 1.1 billion in grants to advance technologies in energy-intensive industries, hydrogen, renewable energy, and carbon capture.