Eni is committed to developing technologies for the production of bio-fuels through the gasification of biomass and the conversion of such syngas into liquids via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (second generation technology, Biomass-to-Liquids), or through the use of micro-organisms (yeasts, microalgae and bacteria) that can transform some waste-cellulosic biomasses into diesel-fuels via fermentative processes or light and CO₂ absoption.
In particular, the biomass produced by microalgae can be advantageously exploited for energy purposes. Once separated from the growing media by gravity separation and filtration, it can be used to extract vegetable oil converted into fuel for vehicles, such as biodiesel.
A site particularly suited to investigate the potential of the technique is the refinery of Gela, thanks to the climate, infrastructure, availability of CO₂ streams and wastewater (urban and industrial). The plant currently under construction will include separation and collection systems for biomass in addition to farming systems with photoreactors.
Moreover, Eni is participating to the development of analysis models for the production of second generation bio-ethanol, within the NILE European project (New Improved Lignocellulosic Ethanol).

The objective of the Green Diesel technology is the production of biodiesel through an integrated refinery process, that is the hydrotrreating of the biorinnovabile component (vegetable oils, animal fats, etc.) to obtain a product with characteristics (calorific value, cetane, etc.) superior  to conventional biodiesel (FAME - Fatty Acid Methyl Ester).  The technology also allows the processing into biofuels of different charges, including oil from algae.
To develop the techniques fixed-bed pilot plant were used, starting in microreactors at pilot scale. Evaluations were made on the quality of the product and its use in blending gasoline and some preliminary assessments of motor performance in the engine room.  To date, the technology can be considered developed: the proposed activity is predominantly process optimization and evaluation of environmental benefits from the use of biodiesel in the formulation of fuels.
The product allows a qualitative advantage compared to conventional biodiesel due to its characteristics and advantages both for logistics and blending properties.

Eni is also involved in researching technological solutions for the exploitation of solid waste. Presently it is developing new processes for the enhancement of the organic component of municipal solid waste and sludge produced by wastewater urban treatment plants.
The new technology provides an initial thermal treatment of wastes, with production of bio-oil that can be treated by existing refinery processes and converted into biofuels for transportation. The process is integrated with a fermentation stage for the recovery of the by-products present in the aqueous effluent of the thermal treatment.