Ron Kotrba
Feb 28, 20221 min
Italian oil company Eni S.p.A. and Mozambique’s ministry of agriculture and rural development signed an agreement Feb. 28 for the cooperation and development of agricultural projects in the African nation to produce oilseeds and vegetable oil feedstock for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production.
Eni and Mozambique will evaluate potential sites and the most appropriate crops for oilseed production focusing on areas that would not compete with food production. Preservation of forests and natural ecosystems will be considered, according to Eni.
Other initiatives in the agreement include collection and valorization of ag and ag-processing residues, byproducts and coproducts, for production of biobased feedstock.
The agreement builds on a preliminary deal signed in 2019.
“[This agreement] is in line with Eni´s commitments to accelerate the energy transition in fossil fuel producing countries, promoting the integration of the African continent into the biofuel value chain through agribusiness and industrial development initiatives aimed at the production of advanced biofuels, helping the decarbonization of the transport sector and promoting development opportunities,” Eni stated.