Eni has initiated the authorisation process for the Environmental Impact Assessment (VIA) to transform its industrial site in Priolo, Sicily. The Italian Ministry approved Eni’s plan to build a biorefinery and chemical recycling plant using Versalis’ Hoop® technology.
The project will utilize the area currently occupied by Versalis’ ethylene plant, which will be gradually decommissioned, along with an adjacent zone used for site services. The initiative reflects Eni’s ongoing commitment to decarbonisation and sustainable chemical production.
Priolo Biorefinery: Producing Renewable Fuels
The new biorefinery will have a production capacity of 5,00,000 tons per year, primarily using vegetable residues, animal fats, and vegetable oils as feedstock. In addition to the Ecofining™ plant, the project includes a biogenic feedstock pre-treatment unit and a hydrogen production facility.
This will become the second biorefinery in Sicily, following the Gela plant that has been operational since 2019. The Priolo facility will produce HVO diesel for road, marine, and rail transport, as well as SAF-biojet fuel for aviation, offering maximum operational flexibility. Completion is scheduled by the end of 2028.
Hoop® Chemical Recycling Plant: Industrial-Scale Innovation
The project also features a Hoop® chemical recycling plant, which applies Versalis’ proprietary pyrolysis technology to mixed plastic packaging waste. The plant will process 40,000 tonnes per year, generating approximately 32,000 tonnes of pyrolysis oil annually.
Following the Hoop® demo plant in Mantua commissioned in June 2025, the Priolo facility will be the first industrial-scale plant. This technology complements mechanical recycling, transforming mixed plastic waste into raw materials suitable for new plastic products, including food-contact and pharmaceutical packaging.
Advanced Technology and Innovation
Hoop® was developed in collaboration with the Italian engineering firm S.R.S. (Servizi di Ricerche e Sviluppo), resulting in high material recovery yields and broad feedstock flexibility. The technology combines a high-performance pyrolysis reactor with advanced polymer property measurement and AI-driven process optimization, ensuring both efficiency and sustainability.
Strategic Commitment to Decarbonisation
As per company press release, Eni’s plan to transform the Priolo site, announced in 2024 and formalized in 2025 with MIMIT, highlights its commitment to decarbonization, circular economy, and sustainable energy.
