Editorial comment
There’s been a flurry of CCUS projects in the cement news again recently, and I think we’re only likely to hear more and more about the ‘holy grail’ of net zero technologies over the coming years.
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CCUS gets a bit of a bad rap in some circles; part of that is because its development has been (somewhat unfairly) compared with nuclear fusion, which is always “just 10 years away”. The other common objection stems from the fact that CCUS has been branded as a fig leaf to excuse the continued use of fossil fuels instead of greener alternatives – after all, why worry about making your processes greener when CCUS can just make emissions ‘magically’ disappear?
These objections, however, ignore two key facts: 1) There are already dozens of CCUS pilot projects in various stages of development around the world, and 2) more than half of the cement industry’s CO2 emissions come from hard-to-abate process emissions. There are, of course, other ways to cut down the CO2 output of cement production. These range from improved process efficiency, the use of novel SCMs and binders, green electricity generation, etc. For example, FLSmdith has recently begun the commercial roll-out of is FUELFLEX pyroliser system, which can significantly increase fossil fuel substitution rates; and Heidelberg Materials has invested €65 million in the production of calcined clay for its Bussac-Forêt cement plant in France.
These technologies all have a role to play. Yet, despite their impact and according to the Global Cement & Concrete Association’s (GCCA) 2050 Net Zero Roadmap, there remains portion of CO2 emissions (apprx. 36%) that can only be mitigated by CCUS technology.
A few recent CCUS project highlights are as follows: Lafarge Canada has announced a partnership with Svante Technologies and Dimensional Energy to implement CO2 utilisation technology at their Richmond, British Columbia plant. The completed project will see 1 tpd of CO2 emissions converted into approximately 1.5 barrels per day of green hydrogen syngas – this will be further processed into liquid hydrocarbons.
ANDRITZ recently completed Europe’s first CCUS pilot project with Rohrdorfer Zement (covered in detail on pp.17 – 22). The project also tackles the tricky area of utilisation: around 1800 l of formic acid can be obtained from the 2 t of CO2 captured per day. This is supplied to chemical plants and can serve as the basis cleaning agents, disinfectants, or de-icing agents.
And the US DOE has selected Heidelberg Materials’ Mitchell, Indiana plant to receive funding for CCUS demonstration projects. The grant will provide approximately US$5 million to study the integration of carbon capture, transport, and storage at the new state-of-the-art cement plant in Mitchell, Indiana.
If you want to hear more about CCUS, and all the other ways in which the cement industry is working to reduce its environmental footprint, then be sure to attend World Cement’s first in-person conference and exhibition: EnviroTech. Taking place in Lisbon on 10 – 13 March, 2024 EnviroTech will feature 2.5 days of presentations, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and networking events with leaders from across the cement industry. Register now at www.worldcement.com/envirotech2024 to secure your special early-bird rate and discounted accommodation!
