Groundbreaking ceremony for the CO2-neutral cement plant

By 2028, the site will be home to a cement plant that uses a new technology to capture CO₂ on an industrial scale, enabling the greenhouse gas to be almost completely captured from the exhaust air. The CO₂ will then be processed for use as a raw material in industry.

To this end, Holcim Germany is building a new kiln line using pure oxygen to burn cement clinker and a CO₂ processing unit at the Lägerdorf plant. With this technology, Holcim and its project partners thyssenkrupp Polysius and Linde Engineering are advancing CO₂ capture on an industrial scale and contributing to the development of a CO₂ economy in Germany.

Habeck: 'Prime example of green transformation'

Federal Minister Robert Habeck: "The cement industry is facing a particularly big challenge when it comes to decarbonisation. Here in Lägerdorf, it is shown how it can be done: decarbonising production and boldly implementing climate-neutral production of cement and concrete. The fact that carbon dioxide can not only be captured, but also used as a raw material, is a prime example of green transformation."

"Today we are giving the go-ahead for another innovative German industrial project. The prototype for the decarbonisation of the cement industry will be built on an industrial scale in Lägerdorf. This shows once again that the future is climate-neutral. And this future begins here in Schleswig-Holstein, the number one state for energy transition", said Daniel Günther, Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein.

"We're laying the groundwork for a sustainable world through cement", asserts Thorsten Hahn, CEO of Holcim Germany. "Cement is essential for our cities, factories, homes, bridges, and beyond. As we transition towards renewable energy, we must also construct the foundations and structures for wind turbines and railway tracks. With our climate-neutral cement plant, we ensure that this vital building material remains accessible without further harm to the atmosphere." CO₂ emissions are an inherent part of cement production. The burning process releases the majority of CO₂, approximately two-thirds, from the minerals themselves. Even with the utilisation of renewable energy in operating the cement kiln, these emissions persist. Hahn emphasises, "Through this groundbreaking project, we're fostering sustainable prosperity. By capturing and repurposing CO₂ as a valuable raw material, we're mitigating climate impact and facilitating the development of new value chains."

In Lägerdorf, Holcim, alongside project partners thyssenkrupp Polysius and Linde Engineering, is erecting a second-generation oxyfuel kiln and a CO₂ Processing Unit (CPU). Unlike conventional methods, this kiln will utilise pure oxygen instead of ambient air, yielding a process gas enriched with CO₂. Subsequently, this gas undergoes purification and processing within the CPU. Holcim Germany's investment in this climate-neutral cement plant totals in the mid three-digit million euro range. Additionally, the EU is providing funding support to the tune of approximately €110 million for the project.

Utilising CO₂: The importance of carbon-based raw materials within the industry

Carbon is an important raw material for sectors such as the chemical industry, where it is used to make plastics, tyres, speciality chemicals and medicines. Due to climate protection measures and the phase-out of fossil fuels, the industry will need new sources in the future. Captured and processed CO₂ (Carbon Capture and Utilisation/CCU) can fill this gap.

The successful development of this market necessitates adequate infrastructure, encompassing pipelines, intermediate storage facilities, and transshipment hubs for shipping, alongside legal regulations for transportation. Hahn remarked, "The German government and the EU are addressing these issues in their carbon management strategies. As a partner, we stand ready to collaborate with policymakers to propel Germany's CO₂ economy forward."

Holcim Germany has set ambitious decarbonisation goals. Alongside the climate-neutral cement plant in Lägerdorf, scheduled to commence operations in 2028, test projects are presently underway at other cement plants in Höver (Lower Saxony) and Beckum (North Rhine-Westphalia). These facilities are also slated for conversion, integrating technologies for capturing and processing CO₂.

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Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/22042024/groundbreaking-ceremony-for-the-co2-neutral-cement-plant/