Anaergia is supplying its anaerobic digestion technology to a €50 million project at Eni's Gela biorefinery in Sicily, in a deal that will generate more than 70,000 MWh of renewable natural gas annually whilst recovering waste streams currently destined for landfill.
The Canadian clean technology firm has contracted with Circular Renewable Evolution (CREvolution) to integrate its high-viscosity digestion systems with a thermal treatment process to recover and regenerate degumming soil — a by-product of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) production that has historically been handled off-site.
Anaergia's share of the contract is worth approximately C$13 million, with commissioning expected by May 2027.
The AD system is engineered to process high dry matter, challenging feedstocks and will recover more than 80% of degumming soil residues, turning a disposal liability into both reusable raw material and a significant renewable energy output.
The project is expected to materially reduce carbon intensity and operating costs at the Gela site.
The partnership is positioning the Gela facility as a global demonstration project for the HVO sector.
With over 250 HVO plants operating worldwide and the market projected to grow by more than 35% by 2030, the three companies are betting that a proven, replicable model for integrating AD into biorefinery operations will find a ready market.
Eni has indicated the approach could be rolled out across its wider biorefining portfolio if the Gela installation performs as expected.
Assaf Onn, chief executive of Anaergia, said the project demonstrated the company's ability to turn "what was once considered waste into renewable energy and reusable material" at scale.
Anaergia’s AD technology at heart of €50m circular economy push at Eni’s Italian biorefinery
