Italy’s Eni refinery to host waste-to-fuel plant

In Italy, Maire, Eni, and Iren have started the permitting process for a plant at Eni’s refinery in northern Italy that will convert 200,000 tons of non-recyclable waste per year into 110,000 tons of circular methanol and 1,500 tons of circular hydrogen using gasification technology from Maire’s technology arm, Nextchem, to produce low-carbon fuels for shipping, transport, and industrial use.

“This project is a unique opportunity to combine environmental sustainability and economic growth. Italian ports will be among the first in the world to be able to benefit from the new environmentally friendly fuel required by international regulations,” said Fabio Fritelli, Nextchem’s Managing Director.

Iren, through its waste management arm Iren Ambiente, will supply the feedstock, while the project will integrate with existing infrastructure at Eni’s refinery to optimize costs. “Nextchem’s technology enables us to reduce environmental impact with a solution that supports and strengthens our customers’ path towards energy transition,” Fritelli added.

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