Advance the Eni bioethanol. Versalis has in fact started the production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass in Crescentino (Vercelli). This was announced by the chemical company of the Eni group which it has acquired organic companies from the group Mossi & Ghisolfi when the latter was on its way to bankruptcy. With the bankruptcy, the production of Crescentino had also stopped, the revolutionary plant that was born also thanks to the innovative Proesa technology, entirely Made in Italy.
Eni bioethanol, green chemistry and Proesa technology
The project had started with avant-garde premises from the new concept of green chemistry promoted by the Mossi & Ghisolfi group which, with an investment of 120 million euros in R&D, had developed a technology capable of allowing a viable alternative to oil, environmentally sustainable and capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Patented the Proesa brand, the technology made it possible to produce second generation bioethanol starting from biomasses that are not in conflict with the food chain and can be found locally, such as, for example, rice straw, wheat straw, wood chips and other agricultural waste.
From 2018 M&G was replaced by Eni with Versalis e the factory was reconfigured with important investments, explains today a note from the Italian group which has launched "the production of advanced bioethanol, in compliance with the European legislation for the development of renewable energies RED II, as it derives from raw materials that are not in competition with the food chain". The bioethanol produced with Proesa will be used for “the formulation of petrol with renewable component".
Bioethanol in Crescentino, the potential of the plant
The Crescentino plant is capable of treating 200 tons/year of biomass, for a maximum production capacity of approximately 25 tons of bioethanol per year. “After an initial test production carried out in recent weeks, today the plant is in progressive gear – announces Versalis – in order to optimize processes”. Furthermore, since July 2020, the hand and surface disinfectant branded Invix, a medical surgical device made using ethanol of vegetable origin as the active principle.
"The launch of the industrial production of advanced bioethanol based on Proesa technology - says Adriano Alfani, Versalis managing director - is an important step for Crescentino, a unique plant of its kind, and strengthens our strategy in the development of chemistry from renewables also for service of sustainable mobility, in synergy with Eni's energy transition path".
