Eni and Synhelion, a spin-off of the Polytechnic University of Zurich (ETHZ), announce the development of an innovative technology that involves the production of methanol starting from carbon dioxide (CO2), water and methane, through a process at high temperatures reached with the use of solar energy.
The production of methanol from renewable energy will enable Eni to achieve the dual objective of reducing climate-changing gas emissions and using carbon dioxide as a raw material. In fact, CO2 is transformed from waste material of industrial processes into a key element in the fuel production cycle. Preliminary data show that the process under development will lead to a reduction of more than 50% in emissions linked to the production of methanol by conventional means.
Eni, a leader in the innovation sector, considers the commitment to improve and adapt future global energy needs to be fundamental through a network of collaborations with universities, excellent research centers and innovative companies such as Synhelion.
This collaboration is part of Eni's strategy of decarbonising its production cycle, with the reduction of climate-changing gases, in line with the objectives set by the company in the climate agreement signed in Paris at the end of December's COP21 2015.
Research and development are a key element for the transformation of Eni into an integrated energy society for a low carbon future. Eni's research, committed to creating value through the study and application of technologies, has led to the creation of 7.300 patents and the launch of more than 350 projects.