Italian Biorefinery project announced
Petrochemicals specialist Eni and bioplastics producer Novamont have announced a joint venutre to build a biorefinery.
The site, costing €500m ($730m), will be built alongside Eni's existing petrochemical complex in Porto Torres, Sardinia and will be managed and staffed by Eni subsidiary, Polimeri Europa. Novamont will provide technology and raw materials.
The plant will use bio technology to produce bio lubricants as well as bio-based monomers, additives for bioplastics and fillers. Currently, Novamont uses corn starch and other renewable bio products for production at its own plant in Terni, Italy with the company reporting overall annual production capacity of 80,000 tons.
The new site will be constructed in three stages, although no timescale has been given for completion of the project. As well as providing local employment, the two companies are committed to using local crops to provide raw materials.
