Work continues on the revamping of the Raco plant in Belpasso (CT). The goal? To transform the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (FORSU) into biomethane, a green fuel produced through anaerobic digestion processes, offering a concrete alternative to reduce CO₂ emissions in the transportation sector.
In the "Ludoil Answers" section, Engineer Fabio Ermolli, Head of Environment at Ludoil, explains one of the Group's most ambitious projects, both technologically and environmentally.
How does the biomethane production process through anaerobic digestion work?
Anaerobic digestion is a biological process in which microorganisms break down organic matter (such as food waste, sewage sludge, and agricultural residues) in the absence of oxygen. This process generates biogas, which can be used for energy production, and digestate, a by-product that can be used as fertilizer. The Raco plant features "semi-dry" technology, characterized by the dry matter content in the materials treated, typically between 15% and 25%. This approach helps reduce water and energy consumption for pumping, improving the overall efficiency of the process.
When will the plant be operational, and what are the upcoming projects?
The completion of the work is scheduled for the summer of 2025, with full operation expected in the following months. The plant will be capable of processing 177,000 tons of non-hazardous organic waste per year, producing over 15 million standard cubic meters of biomethane annually, which will be used in the transportation sector. Additionally, authorization has been granted for a new plant in Enna, managed by Engas S.r.l. (also within the Ludoil Group). This site will process approximately 84,000 tons of waste per year, producing around 7 million standard cubic meters of biomethane.
