Eni converts Sannazzaro refinery into a biorefinery, boosting HVO and SAF production while maintaining traditional fuel operations.
Eni has officially announced that it has secured approval from the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to transform selected units at its Sannazzaro de鈥� Burgondi refinery in Pavia into a state-of-the-art biorefinery. The company has now initiated the authorization process and submitted an application for an Environmental Impact Assessment (VIA), marking a significant step toward its sustainable energy ambitions.
The project entails the conversion of the existing Hydrocracker (HDC2) unit using Eni鈥檚 proprietary Ecofining鈩� technology, coupled with the construction of a pre-treatment unit designed to process waste and residual materials. These feedstocks, primarily biogenic in nature, will serve as the main raw materials for producing Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biofuels under Eni鈥檚 Enilive brand. The initiative is structured to operate alongside existing refinery operations without affecting traditional fuel production capacity.
Hydrogen necessary for the biorefinery鈥檚 processes will be sourced from existing production facilities, while ancillary infrastructure, including logistical systems, will be adapted to meet the needs of the new operations. The plant is designed to produce both HVO diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF-biojet), with production anticipated to commence in 2028. The biorefinery will offer a processing capacity of approximately 550,000 tonnes per year, with flexibility to optimize output between HVO diesel and SAF-biojet depending on market demands.
Through Enilive, Eni has already positioned itself as Europe鈥檚 second-largest producer of HVO biofuels, encompassing both diesel and biojet. The Sannazzaro biorefinery is expected to enhance the site鈥檚 strategic importance in supplying jet fuel and SAF to airports in northwestern Italy. This includes leveraging a direct pipeline connection to Milan Malpensa Airport as well as distribution depots servicing other regional airports.
The conversion project underscores Eni鈥檚 commitment to expanding its biorefining capacity significantly. Through Enilive, the company aims to grow from the current 1.65 million tonnes per year to over 3 million tonnes by 2028, eventually reaching over 5 million tonnes by 2030. The initiative also targets a potential SAF output of up to 2 million tonnes annually by 2030. Currently, Eni produces biofuels at its biorefineries in Venice and Gela, as well as at the St. Bernard Renewables LLC biorefinery in Louisiana, a 50% joint venture. Additionally, a third Italian biorefinery is scheduled to begin operations in Livorno in 2026, with further facilities under construction in Malaysia and South Korea, and a planned biorefinery in Priolo, Sicily.
The Sannazzaro de鈥� Burgondi biorefinery represents a pivotal advancement in Eni鈥檚 transition toward sustainable fuels, reinforcing its role in the European and global biofuel markets while maintaining the refinery鈥檚 conventional operations.
