- Construction began in early 2020 and required 1.3 million hours with zero accidents.
- The project aims for total decarbonization by 2050, doubling biorefinery capacity to 2 million tonnes by 2024.
- Over €1.275 billion has been invested in Gela for sustainable development.
- The plant processes used cooking oil, fats, and castor oil, replacing palm oil from 2023.
Project Overview
Eni's new Biomass Treatment Unit (BTU) in Gela, Italy, has started production, enabling the biorefinery to use up to 100% biomass from used cooking oil and fats from fish and meat processing. This supports a zero-kilometre circular economy model for producing biodiesel, bio-naphtha, bioLPG, and bio-jet. Castor oil will also be used, replacing palm oil in Eni's production processes from 2023.
Construction and Safety
Construction of the BTU began in early 2020 and, despite pandemic-related slowdowns, was mostly completed on schedule. The project required 1.3 million hours of work with zero accidents reported among Eni employees and contractors.
Decarbonization Goals
The BTU launch marks the second phase of transforming the Gela industrial site into a hub for sustainable production. Eni aims for total decarbonization of its products and processes by 2050. The 2021-2024 plan includes doubling biorefinery capacity to around 2 million tonnes by 2024 and increasing it to 5-6 million tonnes by 2050.
Technological Integration
The BTU complements existing technologies like Ecofining™ for producing biofuels from biological raw materials, Steam Reforming for hydrogen production, and the Waste to Fuel pilot plant, which converts municipal solid waste into bio-oil and bio-methane.
Investment and Development
Since the 2014 Protocol for Gela's economic and industrial development, over €1.275 billion has been invested in environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable projects. These include converting the traditional refinery into a biorefinery, installing solar panels, and environmental remediation.
Environmental Remediation
Eni Rewind, Eni's environmental services company, has spent €170 million on demolishing decommissioned plants and reclaiming land and water resources. The Waste to Fuel pilot plant has been operational since December 2018, producing bio-oil and biomethane from organic urban waste.
