Projects

PNRR ALCODE

Principal investigator (LCCP research unit): prof. Carlo Giorgio Visconti

In this context, the project has recently been selected for funding under the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) initiative “Hydrogen Use in Hard-to-Abate Sectors.” The project involves the development of an innovative industrial-scale demonstration plant at the Sarlux refinery in Sarroch (Cagliari), aimed at producing approximately 300 tonnes of synthetic fuel per year.

The project, developed by Saras in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano, aims to design efficient, sustainable, and refinery-integrated pathways for the production of green aviation fuel (e-kerosene) through the use of green hydrogen and captured CO₂. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in both the transportation and refining sectors. The production of e-fuels represents a key challenge in the decarbonization of the aviation industry, complementing sustainable feedstock-based fuels such as those derived from vegetable oils and biomass. The targets set by the European Union are particularly ambitious: under the ReFuelEU regulations, aviation fuel will be required to contain 1.2% Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) from synthetic sources by 2030, with this share increasing to 35% by 2050.