- Enilive: the new frontier of sustainable biojet
- The Gela biorefinery: a model of green innovation
- What are SAFs and why will they revolutionize aviation?
- Enilive's goals for 2030 in biojet production
- Eni's energy transition: investments and development
- Gela's role in the decarbonisation of European aviation
- Enilive and the future of low-emission air transport
- The economic and environmental importance of the biojet produced in Gela
The Gela Biorefinery Leads the Transition to Low-Emission Fuels with Biojet, Contributing to Aviation Decarbonization and the EU's Green Goals
By Marco Arezio
Gela is emerging as a key player in the sustainable aviation sector thanks to Enilive, which has inaugurated biojet production at its local biorefinery. The company, fully owned by Eni, is now the second European energy firm—after Finland’s Neste—to develop an innovative solution for decarbonizing air transport.
An Ambitious Project for Green Aviation
The Gela biorefinery, already converted in 2019, serves as a cornerstone in Eni’s strategy to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuels. With an annual processing capacity of 736,000 tons of biomass, the plant produces biojet using sustainably sourced raw materials, including used cooking oils and by-products from vegetable oil processing.
By 2030, Enilive aims to expand its production capacity to 5 million tons of SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), supporting the sustainability targets set by the European Union. The FuelEU regulation mandates a growing share of SAF in aviation fuel, increasing from the current 2% to 70% by 2050.
A Key Contribution to Europe
Thanks to its strategic location, Gela will be able to supply a significant portion of Europe’s biojet demand by 2025.
This milestone is the result of substantial investments by Eni, which has allocated €2 billion to develop innovative technologies and infrastructure expansion.At the same time, Enilive is advancing biorefinery projects in Asia, with facilities in South Korea and Malaysia, along with the relaunch of green chemistry at the Priolo (Syracuse) site, where new biofuel plants will be operational by 2028. These developments align with Eni’s long-term strategy for energy transition and decarbonization.
Strong Economic Prospects
According to Stefano Ballista, CEO of Enilive, the economic outlook for SAF is highly promising, with projected financial returns expected to double the initial investments. Additionally, the recent sale of a 25% stake in the company to KKR for €2.9 billion strengthens Enilive’s financial position, securing additional resources for business expansion.
A Step Toward Sustainable Aviation
The production of biojet in Gela marks a significant milestone in both the Italian and European energy landscape. This fuel not only significantly reduces CO2 emissions but also promotes a circular economy model by transforming waste into valuable resources.
With Enilive’s strategic vision and Eni’s support, Gela is becoming a symbol of innovation and sustainability, paving the way for a greener future in global aviation.
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