Success Stories of Advanced Biofuels for Transport

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): TRL 9 – actual system proven in operational environment DESCRIPTION The Crescentino plant, located in the province of Vercelli in Italy, was the first in the world to be designed and built to produce bio-ethanol from agricultural by-products, woody material or plants not suitable for food consumption. [...] In addition, a part of the old foundry has been reused, following its conversion into a warehouse for the storage of the biomasses. [...] After some technical improvements, such as the introduction of a soaking section of the biomass before the pre-treatment, the operation was regular during the first half of 2017 at industrial rate. [...] Following the acquisition in November 2018, Versalis is in the process of implementing an action plan that will lead to a full resumption of operations with implementation of some process improvements. [...] The expertise developed at Crescentino will enable similar plants to be built in the rest of the world.