Andion CH4 Renewables has acquired the Q Energia biogas plant, located in the province of Alessandria, as part of its strategy to expand its presence in the Italian biomethane market and strengthen its European renewable energy infrastructure portfolio.

The transaction concerns a facility dedicated to the production of renewable biomethane through an anaerobic digestion process using agricultural residues and organic waste, in compliance with the regulatory framework established by the 2022 Biomethane Decree.

This acquisition forms part of the Group’s broader growth strategy to develop an integrated biomethane asset platform across Europe and further consolidate Andion’s position in the Italian renewable energy market, contributing to decarbonisation objectives and the strengthening of local energy security.

De Berti Jacchia advised Andion CH4 Renewables on the transaction with a team led by Marco Frazzica and Giuseppina Zoccali, who handled all phases of the negotiation and completion of the deal, with the support of Federico Neri. The transaction was coordinated by a multidisciplinary team including Antonella Terranova, Camillo Campli and Federica Pane for regulatory matters, Cristina Fussi for the contractual aspects relating to the feedstock and service agreements, and Massimo Caiazza for matters concerning the feedstock suppliers’ network agreement.

De Berti Jacchia assisted OmniVision Italia S.r.l. in interim proceedings brought by a competitor before the Court of Milan, which dismissed the claimant’s requests for an injunction and seizure concerning the marketing of a food for special medical purposes (FSMP) intended for the dietary management of patients with glaucoma. The decision was subsequently upheld on appeal.

In its appeal ruling, the panel confirmed the dismissal of the interim relief requests, finding that the case did not constitute an instance of “look-alike” packaging, slavish imitation, parasitic competition or unlawful comparative advertising.

The dispute arose from OmniVision’s marketing of the product VisioColina, which the claimant alleged infringed its rights in relation to its own FSMP. According to the claimant, the product featured similarities in its packaging and was promoted in a manner that justified the issuance of injunctive relief and seizure measures.

In upholding the first-instance decision, the Milan IP Court (Specialised Business Sections) found that the requirements for granting interim relief were not met, holding that the products and their respective packaging were sufficiently differentiated to exclude any likelihood of confusion, unfair exploitation of the reputation of the competing product, or parasitic competitive conduct.

The Court also ruled out the existence of unlawful comparative advertising, noting that the information concerning the product’s composition and price was objectively verifiable and that there was no evidence of misleading or unfair promotional practices. Finally, the Court excluded any liability on the part of OmniVision in relation to search engine results and to commercial initiatives independently undertaken by pharmacies and online sales platforms.

De Berti Jacchia represented OmniVision Italia S.r.l. with a team comprising partners Roberto Angelo Jacchia and Silvia Doria, assisted by senior associate Giulia Beneduci and associate Silvia Bolognani.

Andion CH4 Renewables, through its special purpose vehicle Biomethan Brown Cremona 1 S.r.l., has acquired from Greenthesis a 65% stake in Agromet Barbianello S.r.l., a company operating a biogas plant currently being converted into a biomethane facility, located in Barbianello, in the Province of Pavia.

The transaction supports the group’s industrial growth strategy in the biomethane sector, strengthening its presence in the Italian renewable energy market while contributing to decarbonisation goals and enhancing local energy security.

De Berti Jacchia team assisting Andion CH4 Renewables on the transaction was led by Marco Frazzica and Giuseppina Zoccali, who oversaw all stages of the negotiation and completion of the deal, with the support of Federico Neri and in coordination with a multidisciplinary team comprising Antonella Terranova, Camillo Campli and Federica Pane on regulatory matters, as well as Cristina Fussi on the contractual aspects relating to the O&M and MSA agreements.

With over twenty years of experience, largely dedicated to international arbitration, both institutional and ad hoc, Michela D’Avino joins the firm after a long career at a leading Italian law firm, where she was part of both the International Arbitration Focus Team and the Shipping, Transport & Logistics Focus Team.

Over the course of her career, she has advised Italian and international clients on complex cross-border disputes, handling all stages of dispute resolution, starting from the definition of pre litigation strategy. Her arbitration practice focuses in particular on post M&A disputes, construction and infrastructure projects, and international commercial contracts.

She advises clients across a wide range of industries, including energy and infrastructure, services, fashion, and luxury, and has developed significant expertise in arbitrations involving the MENA region, one of the core areas of her practice.

Since 2022, she has been included in the pool of professionals selected by the European Commission as eligible for appointment as arbitrator in bilateral disputes under the EU’s trade agreements with third countries. She has also strengthened her international profile through a secondment at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York and London.

“The arrival of Michela represents a significant step forward in strengthening our International Arbitration practice. Her experience in international arbitration, combined with her deep knowledge of key markets and sectors, will further enhance our team’s capabilities and our ability to assist clients in the most complex cross border disputes,” commented Michelangelo Cicogna, partner and head of the International Arbitration practice at De Berti Jacchia.