Eni: agreement with the Governorate of the Vatican City State to promote the circular economy

Vatican City State transport will use the Eni Diesel+ low environmental impact diesel fuel which reduces polluting emissions by up to 40%. Eni's Venice and Gela biorefineries will soon recycle used cooking oil from Vatican restaurants.

Vatican City, 20 December 2018 - Eni and the Governorate of the Vatican City State have signed an agreement for the circular economy. S.E.R. Mons. Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State and Giuseppe Ricci, Chief Refining & Marketing Officer of Eni, today signed a collaboration agreement for the use of high-quality biodiesel with a low environmental impact, produced and marketed by Eni, for Vatican City State transport. Eni's Venice and Gela biorefineries will soon recycle used cooking oil from restaurants in Vatican City. After undergoing a purification and regeneration process, the cooking oil will be used to produce Eni Diesel+ to power the Vatican’s vehicles, this high-quality product will help to limit atmospheric pollution from diesel vehicles.

This initiative will create a virtuous circular economy cycle, where the waste will be re-used to produce biofuels in the Eni biorefinery in Porto Marghera, Venice, the world’s first conventional refinery to be converted into a biorefinery using a proprietary Eni technology which enables the production of cleaner, higher-quality fuels. Since May 2014, the Venice biorefinery has been producing biofuels using ever increasing quantities of used cooking oils, animal fats and other waste raw materials to replace vegetable oils certified for sustainability; the Gela biorefinery will be launched within the first quarter of 2019, after undergoing the same conversion.  

The choice of Eni, a global frontrunner in the production of biofuels from raw waste materials, was validated by tests conducted in Eni's and the CNR Istituto Motori's laboratories: lab tests have shown that the use of Eni Diesel+ reduces polluting emissions by up to 40%, in particular nitrogen oxides, primary and secondary particulates, especially ultrafine particles. In addition, the high calorific value and the presence of a detergent additive keeps the engine clean and reduces the need for maintenance interventions. Combustion efficiency is improved and lower fuel consumption of up to 4% can be achieved.