Eni and Q8 Italy announce a major strategic investment in the ongoing project for the construction of a new biorefinery in Priolo, Sicily.
The transformation
plan for the Versalis site in Priolo received formal approval from Eni and
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Board of Directors, which follows the official
binding offer submitted by Q8.
The joint project
between Eni and Q8 Italy for the construction and subsequent industrial
operation of the plant further strengthens the thirty year partnership between
the two companies, which began with the Milazzo refinery in 1996.
The project will draw
on the consolidated industrial experience of both partners and will benefit
from Eni’s specific technical and operational expertise in applying the
Ecofining technology, which enables the conversion of waste, residues and
vegetable oils into biofuels that can also be used in 100 per cent pure
form.
The Priolo biorefinery
will have a capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year and will offer extensive
operational flexibility for the production of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF-Biojet), in order to meet market dynamics and
demand.
The new production of
biofuels for road, marine and aviation transport will contribute, in line with
EU objectives, to reduce at least 65 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions
compared to the reference fossil mix.
The project has
completed the engineering phase.
Preparatory activities
for awarding procurement and construction contracts have begun; demolition
works required for the development of the new infrastructure are about to
start; and the authorisation process has been launched.
Completion of the
required authorisations and of positive finalisation of the detailed
contractual documentation and of the works is expected by the end of 2028.
The transformation
plan for the Priolo industrial site, announced by Eni in October 2024 and
confirmed by the agreement signed in March 2025 at the Ministry of Enterprises
and “Made in Italy”, allows the current industrial site to be converted into a
more sustainable, long term activity, while supporting the objectives of both
Eni and Enilive, which foresee a biorefining capacity of 5 million tonnes per
year by 2030.
«The transformation
plan of the Priolo industrial site – comments Giuseppe Ricci, Eni Chief
Operating Officer Industrial Transformation – proves to be solid and
sustainable and demonstrates the validity of the long-term vision that involves
the conversion of loss-making basic chemical business into new competitive and
more sustainable activities, which can contribute to the decarbonisation of
transport. The transformation plan, which we announced in October 2024 and
which was ratified by the agreement signed in March 2025 at the Ministry of
Enterprises and Made in Italy, will allow us to convert the industrial site in
a more environmentally sustainable way, while protecting employment and skills».
Shafi Al Ajmi, Kuwait
Petroleum International (KPI) Chief Executive Officer, stated: «This project
reflects Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s commitment to advancing toward our 2050
Energy Transition Strategy. The investment marks our second megaproject
with Eni in Sicily. It demonstrates the shared commitment of Q8 and Eni to
excellence, innovation, and strategic partnership, as well as our ongoing
presence and confidence in the Italian energy sector. Furthermore, Q8 is
dedicated to achieving our shareholders’ strategic objectives and diversifying
our portfolio in accordance with KPC’s long-term vision. We are committed to
establishing ourselves as a leading provider of sustainable mobility solutions
for customers in the European market for years to come». -TradeArabia News Service
