KEY POINTS
- Eni and PETRONAS have signed an agreement to study the development of high-performance bio-gasoline from renewable raw materials.
- The fuel will initially be assessed for technical performance, sustainability and potential use in motorsport before possible commercial applications.
- The partnership builds on wider Eni-PETRONAS cooperation in gas, biofuels and renewable energy, including a planned Malaysian biorefinery.
Eni and PETRONAS have agreed to jointly explore the development of a new generation of high-performance bio-gasoline made from renewable raw materials.
The two energy companies signed a Feasibility Agreement on September 7, 2026, during the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. The agreement will assess whether the proposed bio-gasoline can be technically developed, produced at commercial scale and used in motorsport before potentially being adapted for wider commercial applications.
The feasibility study will examine the technical performance, market potential and sustainability characteristics of the proposed fuel.
The companies will also assess how the new bio-gasoline performs in high-performance combustion engines, with motorsport expected to serve as an important testing ground.
Eni plans to build on its Ecofining technology, which has been used since 2014 to produce HVO biofuels from renewable feedstocks. The company already produces commercially available renewable fuels, including HVO diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), through its Enilive biorefineries.
The development of bio-gasoline could expand the range of renewable fuels available for vehicles and potentially contribute to efforts to reduce emissions from the transport sector.
Eni and PETRONAS Bring Different Expertise
The partnership will combine the technological capabilities of both companies.
Eni will contribute its experience in sustainable energy solutions, renewable feedstocks and biofuel production, as well as its ongoing work on innovative bio-gasoline technologies.
PETRONAS, meanwhile, will contribute its expertise in fuel technology and high-performance fuels, including the development of more sustainable fuels for combustion engines.
The companies said the collaboration supports the gradual decarbonisation of transportation while exploring ways to maintain the performance standards required in motorsport and other demanding applications. The bio-gasoline agreement builds on a broader relationship between Eni and PETRONAS.
The companies recently established Searah, a 50:50 independent joint venture bringing together key operations in Indonesia and Malaysia. The venture includes a portfolio of 19 gas production and development assets across the two countries.
Eni’s Enilive and PETRONAS have also partnered with Euglena to develop the Pengerang Biorefinery in Johor, Malaysia.
The facility is expected to be operational by the second half of 2028 and is designed to process up to 650,000 tonnes of renewable feedstocks annually. It is expected to produce SAF, HVO diesel and bio-naphtha.
Enilive currently produces HVO diesel, which is available at more than 1,700 service stations across Europe. The latest agreement highlights the companies’ efforts to develop renewable alternatives for sectors that continue to rely heavily on combustion engines.
While the initial focus will be on technical and commercial feasibility, successful results could eventually support the development of bio-gasoline products for broader markets beyond motorsport.
