Eni, Aeroporti di Roma sign agreement for greater SAF, HVO use at airports

Eni and Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) have signed a strategic agreement to promote decarbonization initiatives in the aviation sector and accelerate the ecological transition of airports.

Eni has been producing hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also called renewable diesel, in its Venice and Gela biorefineries since 2014 via its proprietary Ecofining™ technology. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can also be produced from waste and plant-based raw materials using the same technology. Eni's new “net zero carbon by 2050” strategy will enable it to provide a range of fully decarbonized products, combining environmental and financial sustainability. Key drivers in its path towards decarbonization include the recent merger of the renewable and retail businesses, the development of biorefineries and biomethane production, and the sale of low-carbon energy carriers and mobility services at service stations.

ADR, the leading Italian airport hub and best airport in Europe for the past three years, has been carbon neutral since 2013 and has committed to eliminating all its emissions by 2030. The target has been endorsed by ACA 4+ accreditation (the only time the highest level of certification for the reduction of CO2 emissions at airports has been awarded to a European airport) and reinforced with the recent issue of a 500 million-euro (USD$591 million) sustainability-linked bond that directly links the cost of debt to the sustainability results achieved—a world first for an airport.

The agreement includes the development of decarbonization and digitalization projects to boost the transition of ADR-managed airports to smart hubs. A notable feature of the agreement will see the introduction of SAF and HVO for ground handling over the coming months. This will lead to lower CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels. A joint program for the development of sustainable mobility and distribution services to end customers will also be established, as well as energy integration projects in line with the most advanced transition and digitalization models.

“Eni began its business transformation in 2014, taking an active and leading role in promoting the circular economy, the development of innovative technologies and sustainable mobility, all based on a synergistic blend of solutions that minimize environmental impact and boost efficiencies,” said Giuseppe Ricci, chief operating officer of Eni’s energy evolution. “We are ready to make our technology and low-carbon products available to the sector to help it make a recovery based on sustainability and innovation.”

Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, said, “When leading Italian companies work together, they can create and implement ambitious projects of the scale needed to ensure a genuine environmental transition and secure the revival of a strategically important sector for Italy such as aviation. We are deeply committed to ensuring carriers have access to biofuels in the coming months, ahead of expectations. This is further confirmation of our desire to make Fiumicino and Ciampino two of the most sustainable airports in the world. Our strong focus on sustainability, which has been recognized at a global level, has always been a driver of our development and is now very firmly integrated into our business.”