An update on my legal battles with ENI, Novamont, and the European institutions
My legal battles continue. ENI and its subsidiary Novamont are seeking a combined €3.15 million in damages through two separate proceedings in Italy. I consider these lawsuits to be SLAPPs—Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation—intended to discourage independent journalism.
Before even appearing before a judge, I have already paid €5,000 in Italian legal fees. In Belgium, where I am involved in a separate dispute concerning a European Commission official, I have received approximately €10,000 in legal invoices.
That is €15,000 paid or invoiced before a single hearing. And the bills keep coming.
Environmental Warnings Nobody Wants to Hear
For years, I have warned about the potential environmental and toxicological consequences of biodegradable and compostable plastics, particularly when used in agricultural soils.
What happens to plastic residues, additives, and degradation products? Are we introducing new environmental risks under the reassuring label of sustainability?
These questions deserve independent scientific investigation, not corporate pressure against those raising them.
The European Institutional Merry-Go-Round
My experience with European institutions has been equally frustrating.
Requests frequently remain unanswered. When responses arrive, sometimes at the very end of the permitted deadline, they often explain why the institution cannot assist an individual citizen.
The European Commission promotes environmental protection, whistleblower safeguards, and freedom of expression. Yet I have received little practical assistance.
A separate dispute involving a Commission official has also raised questions about the handling of my personal correspondence.
If European institutions cannot protect individual citizens, who exactly is supposed to protect them?
Where Is Europe’s Anti-SLAPP Protection?
The EU adopted its Anti-SLAPP Directive in 2024, requiring national implementation by May 2026.
But legislative promises and practical protection are two different things. Whether the safeguards can help me in my particular proceedings remains an important question.
The Competition Law Paradox
In June 2025, Italy’s competition authority imposed fines totaling more than €32 million on Novamont and ENI following findings of abuse of a dominant market position in the bioplastics sector.
Meanwhile, the same corporate group is pursuing millions in damages against an independent publisher who has investigated its activities.
The contrast deserves public attention.
What Happens Next?
My Italian proceedings continue, with important procedural deadlines approaching and a Novamont hearing scheduled for March 2027.
I will continue documenting these cases, questioning European institutions, and investigating corporate conduct.
Because this story is no longer exclusively about biodegradable plastics or two multinational companies.
It is about whether independent journalism can survive the financial pressure of defending itself against powerful interests.
And I have no intention of abandoning that journalism.