Enilive launches major sustainable aviation fuel production in Sicily

Enilive has started producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its biorefinery in Gela, Sicily, with an annual capacity of 400,000 tons, meeting nearly a third of Europe's projected demand for 2025.

Partagez:

Enilive, a subsidiary of the Eni group, has officially inaugurated its first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plant in Gela, Sicily. This key facility is integrated into the Gela biorefinery and marks a strategic turning point in the company’s alignment with the European ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, which came into effect at the start of 2025.

The plant’s annual production capacity reaches 400,000 tons, accounting for nearly a third of the estimated European demand for sustainable aviation fuel this year. This achievement is aligned with the European Union regulation (EU) 2023/2405, which mandates aviation fuel suppliers to ensure an increasing share of SAF in jet fuel delivered to airline operators. This proportion begins at 2% in 2025 and will gradually rise to 70% by 2050.

A facility optimized for future needs

The Gela biorefinery is designed to process up to 736,000 tons of biomass per year, primarily using waste-based feedstocks such as used cooking oils, animal fats, and residues from the vegetable oil industry. Recent infrastructure upgrades, including the addition of an isomerization unit and a new degumming line, allow for greater diversification of raw materials. These technological improvements support the production of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biofuels, of which SAF is a key component.

Additionally, Enilive has enhanced the site’s logistics by modernizing storage and transport infrastructure, making the plant ready to meet future demand surges. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing the company’s biorefining capacity to over 5 million tons per year by 2030.

Strategic partnerships with airlines

Since September 2022, Enilive has signed several SAF supply agreements with airlines, leveraging efficient integration between its Gela biorefinery and other Eni facilities. These partnerships, initially based on limited production volumes, ensure a smooth transition to an industrial scale.

Enilive also plans to launch similar projects, including a SAF plant in Porto Marghera (Venice) set to become operational in 2026, as well as new biorefineries in Malaysia and South Korea. These developments aim to double global SAF production by 2030.

A long-term vision for sustainable fuel markets

Enilive’s business model builds on more than a decade of investments in biorefining technologies. Its ability to diversify raw materials and produce increasing volumes of SAF positions the company as a leader in this rapidly growing segment. According to Stefano Ballista, CEO of Enilive, this ambition reflects a clear strategy: meeting the growing demand for sustainable fuel solutions while solidifying its position in the global market.

The city of Toul has officially inaugurated a biomass heating plant operated by ENGIE Solutions, intended to supply heating from wood-energy to over 2,400 local homes starting from the next winter season.
North American biomethane capacity will increase by 70 million cubic feet per day in 2025 following a record growth of 139 mmcfd in 2024, driven notably by transportation sector demand, according to Wood Mackenzie.
The voluntary carbon market intensifies industrial interest in carbon capture within the pulp and paper and bioenergy sectors, creating an estimated $3 billion opportunity through carbon credit trading.
Germany’s announcement to eliminate double counting is shaking up manure-based biomethane and GHG certificate markets, prompting buyers to anticipate significant price hikes.
SUEZ signs a 15-year renewable electricity supply agreement with Bouygues Telecom, covering 53 GWh annually from household waste energy recovery, effective from 2027.
The Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolis entrusts Waga Energy with the digital management of biogas generated from waste at the Arbois facility using the eLandfill platform, to enhance technical efficiency and operational monitoring at the site.
Minéraux Stratégiques Abitibi has signed a non-disclosure agreement paving the way for talks with the Abitibiwinni First Nation and the City of Amos to develop a biomass plant on the former Résolu industrial site.
Due to insufficient industrial backing, Global Bioenergies has launched a pre-pack sale process amid high bank debt and limited liquidity. Offers must be submitted by 9 July.
Waga Energy has commissioned a biomethane facility in British Columbia, in partnership with FortisBC and Capital Regional District, marking the first unit of its kind on Vancouver Island.
A new report by the International Energy Agency identifies significant untapped potential in biogas and biomethane, hindered by regulatory and economic barriers.
Joint venture between Airex Énergie, Groupe Rémabec and SUEZ begins industrial biochar production in Port-Cartier, targeting 30,000 tonnes annually by 2026.
TotalEnergies sold 50% of Polska Grupa Biogazowa to HitecVision for €190mn to accelerate biogas development in Poland and reach 2 TWh of biomethane by 2030.
Project Avance aims to build a pilot plant in Québec to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from sawmill residues, contributing to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.
A public inquiry on Gardanne’s biomass sourcing begins as GazelEnergie resumes operations at 4,000 hours per year.
Aemetis Biogas recorded $1.6mn in revenue in April from California LCFS and federal D3 RIN credit sales, pending capacity expansion with seven new digesters.
Facing supply fluctuations, integrated biorefineries are emerging as an effective industrial solution, combining diverse feedstocks to optimize operating costs and secure renewable fuel supplies, crucial to achieving carbon neutrality goals.
Rennes Métropole and ENGIE Solutions are launching a EUR156mn project to extend a 78-kilometre district heating network powered entirely by renewable and recovered energy sources.
German group EnviTec Biogas inaugurated its largest US plant earlier this year in South Dakota, reinforcing its industrial partnership with SJI Renewable Energy Ventures.
Aemetis Biogas recorded a 55% increase in renewable natural gas production in March, supported by favourable weather conditions and the expansion of its digester project in California.
The National Assembly approved legislation enabling the conversion of the Saint-Avold coal-fired power plant to biogas, fulfilling a government pledge and impacting approximately 500 jobs.