Ask a question to find out more

The development of the chemicals sector in Porto Torres

Scientist looks at test tube

Porto Torres is an industrial site at the forefront of chemistry, particularly when it comes to processes using renewable sources. Thanks to a series of partnerships, we have developed new production lines dealing with raw plant-based materials. At the same time, we are carrying out extensive environmental rehabilitation in the area using low-impact methods.

Project features

Activity start date: 1982 - present

Italy

Chemistry
Chemistry
Environmental remediation
Environmental remediation

Versalis
Matrìca
Eni Rewind
Plenitude
Eni New Energy

Novamont
Lanxess
Alphabio

Project development and operation

A new idea about chemistry

In Porto Torres, the first plant for chemicals from renewable sources by Matrìca, a joint venture between Versalis and Novamont, is in operation. Using exclusively plant-based oils as a raw material, we produce bio-intermediates for the manufacture of bio-plastics, disinfectants, lubricants, agro-pharmaceuticals, preservatives and personal care products. All are plant-based and biodegradable. An example of these production lines is Sunpower, an herbicide made from sunflower seed oil that can combat weeds both in agriculture and on industrial sites, as well as along roads and railways.

Porto Torres is also home to a plant for the production of nitrile rubber which is used for high value-added applications such as technical items, pipes and gaskets. This production line also uses state-of-the-art processes and technologies to ensure efficiency and competitiveness.

In Porto Torres, through Eni Rewind, we are also involved in the environmental rehabilitation of brownfield sites. The flagship initiative is the Nuraghe project, which has been carried out in agreement with local authorities and the local community. Thanks to a multifunctional platform equipped with every type of decontamination technology, the land is fully managed, reused or reallocated on site, in line with the principles of a circular economy. This maximises material recovery and minimises the economic and environmental impacts of handling waste, which is sometimes sent thousands of kilometres away. At the Sardinian site we also make use of the e-hyrec technology, which has been patented by Eni Rewind, that when placed inside the wells allows us to selectively separate the aqueous phase from the oily phase, recovering only the hydrocarbon portion without extracting water, thus improving the effectiveness and efficiency of groundwater reclamation. In order to enhance and redevelop the areas subject to reclamation through the implementation of sustainable projects, Eni Rewind has made approximately 500 hectares of its 1,200 hectares available. Porto Torres is also home to the largest photovoltaic park built so far by Eni as part of its renewable development initiatives.

Highlights

The data were selected from those contained in our official documents.

31
MW

Porto Torres photovoltaic plant installed capacity


~50
GWh

about annual energy produced by the photovoltaic plant


~ 26
kton/y

CO₂ emissions avoided thanks to the photovoltaic plant


31
MW

Porto Torres photovoltaic plant installed capacity

~50
GWh

about annual energy produced by the photovoltaic plant

~ 26
kton/y

CO₂ emissions avoided thanks to the photovoltaic plant

Expand Reduce
Last update: 10 July 2023


Back to top
Back to top