In Italy, Eni and Hera signed a partnership agreement with the aim of converting used vegetable oil into renewable diesel for Hera’s waste collection vehicles. The agreement revolves around household waste vegetable oil, such as that used for frying, collected by Hera in around 400 roadside containers and about 120 collection centres.

The waste oil will be sent to the Eni bio-refinery in Porto Marghera, Venice—the first oil refinery in the world to be converted into a bio-refinery for the production of Green Diesel, a completely renewable product that accounts for 15% of Enidiesel+. Enidiesel+ will power Hera’s urban waste collection vehicles.

Green Diesel—renewable diesel—is produced by Ecofining technology developed in Eni’s laboratories in collaboration with Honeywell UOP.

During an initial phase, Enidiesel+ will be used by around thirty large vehicles in the Modena area to test and optimize the fuel’s environmental benefits.

Results from tests of Enidiesel+ have shown major benefits in terms of air quality, the economy and industry. Compared to conventional diesel, Enidiesel+ features a renewable component that reduces polluting emissions by up to 40%, consumption by about 4% and engine maintenance costs. These metrics be monitored by both companies in collaboration with the Institute for Engines (Istituto Motori) at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR).

To further support of the initiative, Hera has decided to boost the roadside collection of vegetable oil by introducing 300 new dedicated containers in the areas in which it operates. In 2017 alone, 800 tons of waste vegetable oil were collected, recovered and processed for use either as lubricants or energy. This service is increasingly comprehensive. It also provides an incentive to properly recycle waste oil and also works to prevent behavior such as pouring oil down the sink, which damages household plumbing and water treatment plants.