Commit resources and knowledge to make land abandoned by the agricultural system sustainable

There has been a lot of talk about the use of fertile land , especially in Brazil, for the production of crops that can be used in the transformation into biofuels.

The theme is very current as this system is frequently pointed out, together with the intensive breeding of animals for meat and the relative surfaces to be allocated to the production of forage for their livelihood, among the major factors of pollution, deforestation, consumption of water resources and the negative environmental impact of the chemical products necessary for the various processes.

Agriculture, necessary for the sustenance of the world population, is already dealing with climate change which they are causing widespread desertification, drought, flash floods and epochal migrations, therefore, the idea of an increase in the use of fertile land for the production of green fuels would be really dangerous.

In this situation fits a production system of biofuels, to be distributed in filling stations, coming from waste and vegetable oils with a attention to the above issues.

The new fuel being distributed is called HVOlution, and is already available in 50 Eni Live Stations in Italy, and by the end of March it will be 150.

Produced from waste raw materials and plant residues, and from oils generated from crops not in competition with the food supply chain, it can already be used by approved engines.

HVOlution, the first diesel from Eni Sustainable Mobility produced with 100% renewable raw materials (pursuant to the (EU) 2018/2001 "REDII"), is on sale in 50 Eni service stations and will be available shortly, by March 2023, in 150 points of sale in Italy.

HVOlution is a biofuel that is produced from waste raw materials and plant residues, and from oils generated from crops not in competition with the food supply chain.

HVOlution can contribute to the immediate decarbonisation of the transport sector, including heavy-duty transport, taking into account exhaust emissions, because it can be used with current infrastructure and in all approved engines, with unchanged performance.

Eni is able to offer its customers this innovative biofuel thanks to the investment made since 2014 with the transformation of the Venice and Gela refineries into biorefineries, which have been palm oil free since the end of 2022.

The proprietary Ecofining™ technology allows, in fact, to treat waste vegetable raw materials and non-edible oils to produce HVO biofuel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil) of which Eni Sustainable Mobility is the second largest producer in Europe.

HVOlution is a biofuel composed of 100% pure HVO.

Before being marketed in Eni service stations, pure HVO was used by various customers, who moved from passenger handling vehicles to reduced mobility in the airport environment up to commercial logistics vehicles; moreover, added to diesel, since 2016 the HVO biofuel is present at 15% in the Eni Diesel + product, available in over 3,500 service stations in Italy.

Stefano Ballista, managing director of Eni Sustainable Mobility, said: “HVOlution pure biofuel has a fundamental role because already today can make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of mobility, including heavy transport.

This product enriches the offer in service stations, joining the current proposal of low-carbon products, such as electric top-ups, and services for people in mobility: Eni Sustainable Mobility's goal is to integrate industrial and commercial assets along the entire value chain, from the availability of raw materials to the sale of decarbonised products to the end customer."

Eni has signed agreements and partnerships that make it possible to valorise scraps and waste by using them as feedstock for the production of biofuels such as HVOlution.

In several African countries including Kenya, Mozambique and Congo, Eni is developing a network of agri-hubs in which vegetable oils capable of growing in marginal lands and degraded areas will be produced and not in competition with the food chain and, at the same time, to create job opportunities in the area.

Recently, the first load of vegetable oil produced in the agri-hub arrived at the Gela biorefinery from Kenya of Makueni, while the first load of used frying oil arrived in Venice. The goal is to cover 35% of supply from Eni biorefineries by 2025.

Automatic translation. We apologize for any inaccuracies. Original article in Italian.

Source: ENI