March 12, 2025 15:27

Versalis, the chemical arm of ENI, is engaged in discussions with Italian chemical industry labor unions, local authorities and national institutions regarding its restructuring plan for the basic chemicals, announced late last year (see article).

During a recent meeting in Rome at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Mimit), Versalis and four out of five labor unions—Cisal, Femca-Cisl, UGL Chimici and Uiltec-Uil—signed a memorandum of understanding on the plan.
However, Filctem-Cgil refused to sign and instead organized a strike at Versalis plants across Italy, along with a protest outside the ministry.

The unions that endorsed the agreement claim it safeguards industrial activity and jobs at the affected production sites in Brindisi, Priolo and Ragusa, all located in Southern Italy. Key priorities in the agreement include maintaining employment levels, including subcontractors, and ensuring continued feedstock supply to all Versalis plants in Italy, which currently rely on the cracking units at Brindisi and Priolo.

Filctem-Cgil, a vocal critic of ENI’s plan for Versalis, has opted to review the document further and may propose changes.

The restructuring plan—already underway—includes shutting down the cracking units at Priolo and Brindisi (with the latter being placed in conservation rather than dismantled) and closing the polyethylene plant in Ragusa. These measures will be offset by investments in mechanical and chemical recycling, bio-refining and stationary battery production. The transformation will take five years and involve more than €2 billion in investments.

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