The Novamont biorefinery in Porto Torres was established as part of an industrial reconversion project that led to the creation of a facility dedicated to the production of biochemicals. 

DEVELOPMENT MODEL

Using plant-based raw materials of European origin, the biorefinery optimizes and enhances all components of vegetable oils, converting them into high value-added chemical bioproducts for a wide range of sectors, commercialized under the innovative brand Matrilox.

The Porto Torres biorefinery thus develops an innovative portfolio of bioproducts used across several industries, including bioplastics, polymers, polyamides, biolubricants, greases, electronics and rubber industries, crop protection, detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and animal feed.

TECHNOLOGY AND FACILITIES

The Porto Torres plants make use of a first-of-its-kind technology: bioproducts are obtained through a low environmental impact process that does not use ozone in the oxidative cleavage reaction of vegetable oils.

The industrial complex consists of two main facilities:

The first, the Monomers Plant, processes vegetable oils into:

• Azelaic Acid
• Pelargonic Acid
• C5–C9 light fatty acid blends
• Glycerine
• High-boiling vegetable heavy tails

The second, the Esters Plant, consists of two esterification lines that convert acids into high-quality esters used in cosmetic formulations, biolubricants, dielectric fluids, animal feed, plasticizers, and extender oils.

RESEARCH CENTER

Since 2012, a Research Center covering over 3,500 m² has been established in Porto Torres. It includes a chemical synthesis laboratory, a physico-chemical analysis laboratory, and seven pilot plants.
The pilot plant area, the flagship of the Research Center, features units designed to replicate both the monomer production process and the synthesis and purification processes for various types of esters.