ENI
Eni is a multinational energy company headquartered in Rome, Italy. Founded in 1953, it is one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies and operates across the entire energy value chain, including exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining, petrochemicals, and energy trading.
The company is partially owned by the Italian state (+/- 35 %) and operates in more than 60 countries. In recent years, Eni has also invested in renewable energy and alternative materials, including bioplastics through its subsidiary Novamont.
EXTERNAL LINK
SLAPPs
SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. These lawsuits are not primarily intended to win on the merits of the case, but rather to intimidate, silence, or exhaust critics through lengthy and expensive legal proceedings. Around the world, SLAPPs are increasingly being used against journalists, researchers, NGOs, and independent bloggers who report on matters of public interest.
As someone who has been writing about environmental and industry-related topics for many years, I believe that open discussion, transparency, and access to information are essential in a democratic society. When powerful actors use legal pressure to discourage criticism or scrutiny, it raises important questions that go far beyond a single case.
This blog has three goals:
- Document the case – to provide factual updates about the lawsuit and the broader context surrounding it.
- Collect resources – including articles, research, legal developments, and examples of other SLAPP cases around the world.
- Support public discussion – about freedom of expression, public participation, and the role of litigation in shaping that space.
This is not only about one lawsuit. It is about a broader issue: whether individuals and independent voices can continue to speak openly about matters of public interest without facing disproportionate legal pressure.
If you are a journalist, researcher, activist, or reader interested in SLAPP cases and freedom of expression, I hope this blog can serve as a useful resource.
EXTERNAL LINK
About Axel Barrett
I’ve been blogging about bioplastics since 2013. You can find more information about me on the following page.
Please note that I use satire and sarcasm extensively throughout my writing.
To add a humorous touch to this website, I created a fictional satirical character named “Eni Versalis.” Through this persona, I poke fun at the “system,” including the European Commission and other major industry players.
Freedom of Speech and the right of opinion
The following reflects my personal opinion:
Freedom of speech and humor—particularly satire and sarcasm—are tools that enable ordinary people to question, criticize, and make fun of those in positions of power. In my view, they provide an outlet for expressing frustration with perceived injustices and inequalities and can make these realities easier to cope with by allowing people to laugh at the establishment and challenge it through humor.
European Commission
The following reflects my personal opinion:
I believe that the intentions of the European Commission are, in theory and on paper, good. The institution was created to serve the public interest and uphold the values of the European Union.
However, in practice, I feel that it has let ordinary people like me down. That is frustrating because, in theory, the European Commission should be an ally of the common citizen. Yet, in my experience, it often seems distant and unresponsive to the concerns of individuals.
As you will read on this website, the supermajor oil company Eni and its subsidiary Novamont are suing me. The European Commission has adopted anti-SLAPP legislation intended to protect citizens from abusive lawsuits that may seek to silence criticism or public participation. However, from my perspective, there appears to be a gap between the principles embodied in these measures and their practical implementation.
This is a harsh conclusion for me to reach. The very institution that I believe should help protect people in my position instead feels, to me, like another source of pressure and disappointment.
The European Commission seem strongly invested in marketing and pushing PBAT (=BASF) and Mater-Bi (Novamont/ENI) Bioplastic technologies. These soil-biodegradable and compostable plastics are the next “Asbestos-like” public health scandal involving EU funding.
Axel BARRETT – Chief Editor Bioplastics News
Disclaimer: This text reflects personal opinions, subjective interpretations, and satirical commentary on complex industry and regulatory developments. It should not be construed as factual allegations, verified reporting, or legal claims against any company, institution, or individual mentioned. References to corporate behavior, regulatory processes, or legal proceedings are expressed in a critical and interpretive manner only, and readers should consult official sources and court records for verified information.
“The duty of comedy is to correct men by amusing them.” –
Molière
ENI - SLAPP 