June 20, 2025 18:05

Versalis, the chemical arm of energy group ENI, has announced that it will begin shutting down its steam cracker and aromatics plants at the Priolo site in Sicily in the first week of July. The move is part of the Eni-Versalis Chemical Transformation Plan, which was agreed with Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) last March.

The facility will be replaced by a biorefinery and a full-scale Hoop chemical recycling plant, building on the demonstration unit inaugurated yesterday in Mantua (read article).

Once the site’s feedstock inventories are exhausted, Versalis will begin securing and decommissioning the units, in accordance with environmental regulations. The company estimates that cleanup operations will take up to 18 months.

Products previously produced at Priolo and sent to other Versalis plants for downstream processing will be replaced by market-sourced materials, delivered by ship to Porto Marghera and then distributed via pipeline to the relevant facilities. According to a company statement, supplies to other industrial operators in the area will also be ensured. 
“The supply plan has long been in place to guarantee the necessary feedstocks,” Versalis noted.

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