Green chemistry: trade unions are putting pressure on the Government to revitalise Porto Torres

A programme agreement is to be drawn up immediately to relaunch the ‘Green Chemistry’ project at the Porto Torres industrial estate near Sassari. In other words, a new lease of life for the industrial estate where heavy chemical industry operated for decades – a chapter now considered ‘closed’. It is the trade unions that are putting pressure on the Government, the day after the ‘preliminary’ meeting at the Mimit. At the heart of the matter is the programme, signed in 2011, which envisaged the creation of the green chemistry hub with an investment of 450 million euros, over 200 direct jobs and just under a hundred in related industries, with Eni and its subsidiaries involved.

“At this stage, the Government must take concrete action,” says Francesco Garau, regional secretary of Filctem, “because enough time has been wasted and we need to get the programme off the ground – only a third of which has been implemented so far.”

The plan aims to produce “bio-based polymers, additives and lubricants (bioplastics and bio-fillers) on an industrial scale, with an annual output of 100,000–120,000 tonnes”.

At present, only two plants are operational: P01, for the production of bio-monomers from sunflower oil, and P02, for bio-lubricants from pelargonic acid. Hence the call to resume the programme agreed in 2011. “In 2019, the Draghi Act paved the way by establishing the Steering Committee,” adds Garau, “but since then, very little has been done, despite the fact that a meeting was expected to be convened within 180 days; however, no further steps have been taken.” In 2025, the Region took action by requesting a meeting, followed by on-the-ground developments including a meeting between the Region and representatives of Eni. Then silence fell once more, and last September, the CGIL and FILCTEM sent a formal notice to the Government. This led to the convening of the summit.

“Eni’s presence in Sardinia, as far as Porto Torres is concerned, means first and foremost green chemistry. It is from here – from the development and expansion of these activities,” emphasises Emanuele Cani, Regional Councillor for Industry, “that we must begin in order to subsequently assess, from a broader perspective, the company’s overall industrial and energy project. We are calling for a shift from what is essentially an experimental phase to a truly industrial scale, capable of guaranteeing prospects for production, employment and development.”