Eni and BF evaluate development of energy crops in Italy

In Italy, Eni and BF have signed a collaboration agreement to evaluate the development of crops for energy use in Italy, recovering degraded, abandoned or polluted land, without competing with the food chain.

The agreement has a first study-phase, to evaluate the sustainability and competitiveness of an agro-industrial chain to be jointly developed aiming at recovering the marginal areas identified in the Country through the development of sustainable agronomic practices. In early 2023 a pilot phase will be launched, by cultivating seeds such as safflower and brassica from which to extract the vegetable oil to be sent to Eni’s biorefineries, for subsequent transformation into biofuels.

The agricultural productions will respond to the ISCC voluntary certification scheme (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) to guarantee the sustainability and traceability requirements of the products in accordance with the relevant European legislation. 

The cultivation of the seeds can take place in farms directly owned by BF, as well as in consortia, cooperatives and professional organizations located on the territory that will be able to collaborate with BF and Eni. Furthermore, farmers will be able to count on the support of the partners to introduce innovative practices, from agriculture of precision to carbon farming to reduce emissions and waste in the work phases. The aim is to create a new business model which, on one hand guarantees access to land for the farmers by creating economic opportunities and, on the other hand, introduces cutting-edge techniques and processes, with the aim of contributing to reduce CO2 emissions in the agriculture and transport sectors. 

Thus consolidates the collaboration between Eni and BF, partners in the Agri-Energy joint venture set up in January 2021 to develop improved seeds for bio-refining. Agri-Energy research projects, such as the one in the “open-air laboratories” of Arborea, in Sardinia, started in early 2022 to experiment with sustainable crops for energy production over an area of 15 hectares. The JV also promotes staff training initiatives and support for international agronomic projects.