NEXTCHEM's NX CircularTM waste-to-energy gasification technology allows Eni's Sannazzaro de' Burgondi refinery to produce synthesis gas converted to low-carbon circular methanol and hydrogen for green mobility and clean energy

The plant will have capacity of up to 110,000 tons per year of circular methanol and up to 1,500 tons per year of circular hydrogen

MAIRE demonstrates its strategic role as a technology enabler and provider of integrated engineering services,enhancing the infrastructure already present on site

MILAN,Feb. 25,2025 -- MET Development (MAIRE),Eni and IrenAmbientehave started the permitting process for an innovative circular methanol and hydrogen production plant atEni's refineryinSannazzarode'Burgondi(Pavia),Italy.

The plant will be developed by MAIRE together withItalianenergyproducerEni and Italian utility Iren,leveraging NEXTCHEM's (MAIRE's technology business unit) proprietary NXCircularTMtechnology,which is completing engineering activities in preparation of the execution phase.

This technology allows the plant toconvert waste by generating synthesis gas (syngas),which is subsequently used to produce high quality sustainable fuels and chemicals. Once completed,the plant will be able to convert approximately 200,000 tons per year of non-recyclable waste (which will be supplied byIren's waste management unitIrenAmbiente) into synthesis gas.

The synthesis gas will,in turn,be converted to produce up to 110,000 tonsannuallyof circular methanol,an innovative alternative for thedecarbonizationof the maritime sector. It will also produce up to 1,500tonsper year of circular hydrogen,which could be used in refinery processes,reducing CO2 emissions compared to fossil-generated hydrogen,or,alternatively,for sustainable mobility in road and rail transport.

Furthermore,the plant will be able to recover 33,000tonsper year of inert granulate,which can be used for the cement industry,contributing to thedecarbonizationof this sector as well. The circularmethanol produced meets the criteria of the EU Renewable Energy Directive for Recycled Carbon Fuels (RCF) and is an effective and innovative solution for reducing carbon emissions.

The plant will exploit the infrastructure and services already available at the refinery,thusoptimizingcosts and enhancing the great wealth of technical expertise atSannazzaro site.

FabioFritelli,NEXTCHEM's Managing Director,commented: "This project is a unique opportunity to combine environmental sustainability and economic growth. Italian ports will be among the first in the world to be able to benefit from the new environmentally friendly fuel required by international regulations. NEXTCHEM's NXCircularTMtechnology enables us to reduce environmental impact with a solution that supports and strengthens our customers' path towards energy transition."