Maire S.p.A. has marked a significant milestone for Italy and the global energy sector with the inauguration of the nation's first Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility at Eni's natural gas treatment plant located in Casalborsetti, Ravenna. Opened recently, this facility is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 25,000 tons annually, effectively aiming for over 90% reduction rates from the plant's emissions.
Eni and Snam, the companies behind this project, have framed the Ravenna CCS initiative as instrumental for the decarbonization of industrial landscapes. Their joint venture is structured to not only target emissions from natural gas treatment but also to align with Italy's ambitious climate goals, particularly as detailed within the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).
Operational since late 2024, the CCS facility is capable of capturing CO2 emissions from their source, purifying, and compressing it for transport. This CO2 is then pumped through reconverted gas pipelines to the offshore Porto Corsini Mare Ovest platform, where it will be securely injected and stored at depths reaching 3,000 meters within depleted gas reservoirs.
Taking full advantage of existing infrastructures, the Ravenna CCS project is powered entirely by renewable energy, which significantly curtails additional emissions associated with its operations. The project not only emphasizes efficiency but also utilizes innovative technologies to achieve carbon capture with high success rates even under challenging conditions, such as low atmospheric pressure and carbon concentrations below 3%.
Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, heralded the achievement, stating, "This project is of great significance for decarbonization, transforming our commitment to environmental responsibility and providing practical solutions to emissions from energy-intensive industries." His sentiments echo the increasing interest from other sectors eager to explore similar paths toward sustainability.
Similarly, Stefano Venier, the CEO of Snam, expressed optimism for the future of the Ravenna CCS initiative, noting its strategic importance within their broader decarbonization plan to support energy-intensive industries. Venier emphasized the company's extensive experience and foundational presence within the Po Valley region, which has nurtured industrial development for decades.
With plans for Phase 2, the project is scheduled to expand its capacity to store up to 4 million tons of CO2 annually by the year 2030, reinforcing its potential as Italy’s hub for the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries like steel, cement, and chemical manufacturing. There is even ambition for total storage potentials to extend to 16 million tons per year, depending on market demands.
Recognizing CCS technology as both mature and safe, international experts and organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have endorsed it as pivotal to reaching global climate targets set during the 2015 Paris Agreement. The European Union aims to develop CCS capacity for at least 50 million tons per year of CO2 by 2030, emphasizing the relevance of projects like the one at Ravenna.
Research and development efforts are also anticipated for the re-utilization of captured CO2, promising collaboration with local academic institutions to maximize expertise present within the Emilia-Romagna region. This intention aligns with current trends where companies leverage regional talents to innovate solutions for challenging environmental issues.
Nextchem, along with Eni and Snam, has played a substantial role as the technology integrator. The company’s advanced solutions have enabled effective CO2 capture from exhaust gases, showcasing efficient thermal management and low energy consumption. This reinforces Nextchem’s position as key players within the carbon capture space and underlines their commitment toward enhancing the efficiency of carbon capture solutions.
Reflecting on the outcome of the project, Alessandro Bernini, CEO of Maire, conveyed pride, asserting, "We are dedicated to developing high-performance solutions to decarbonize sectors facing significant challenges. The Ravenna CCS project portrays our technological prowess supporting prominent players seeking greener practices." This approach not only strengthens partnerships within the Italian industrial sector but also contributes to creating new specialized employment opportunities linked to the implementation of these technologies.
The Ravenna CCS initiative exemplifies the continuing evolution of energy practices and environmental stewardship within the industrial framework. By efficiently capturing and storing CO2, the project is not just tackling emission reduction but is also fostering new pathways toward operational sustainability—attractive not just locally, but on the European stage as well.
By facilitating existing infrastructure’s adaptation for modern environmental demands, Ravenna CCS is poised to assert itself as Europe embraces the need for effective decarbonization strategies. Continued investment and commitment to projects of this caliber could redefine Italy’s position within the European energy dialogue and contribute considerably to its climate objectives by 2050.
For more information on the Ravenna CCS project, interested parties can visit the official website at www.ravennaccs.it.
