Carbon TerraVault and National Cement sign MOU for California’s first net zero cement facility

MOU Highlights:

CTV plans to develop transportation and sequestration solutions for up to 1 million metric t per annum (MMTPA) of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions captured from National Cement’s plant in Lebec, Kern County, California.

Captured CO₂ is expected to be safely transported and securely stored in CTV’s underground storage reservoirs, contributing to California’s industrial decarbonisation efforts.

“Lebec Net Zero” Highlights:

The project is expected to be California’s first net-zero cement facility, integrating carbon capture technology, utilising locally sourced biomass fuel from agricultural byproducts, and producing limestone calcined clay cement (LC3).

This effort aligns with Kern County’s Carbon Management vision, promoting economic growth, job creation, and tax benefits for local communities.

The project was one of 33 selected by the US Department of Energy (DOE) for funding under the Industrial Demonstrations Programme as a public-private partnership, with the DOE committing up to US$500 million in matching funds to accelerate its development.

Pending customary approvals, operations are expected to start in 2031.

Francisco Leon, President and Chief Executive Officer of CRC, emphasised the significance of this partnership: “This MOU with National Cement underscores the increasing demand for innovative decarbonisation solutions within California’s industrial sector. Achieving carbon neutrality in the cement industry requires bold action, and this partnership is a critical step in developing the state’s first carbon capture, transport, and storage project for this essential sector. We have a proven carbon management expertise and strategically located CO₂ storage assets, allowing us to deliver innovative, reliable, and economically viable energy transition solutions.”

Eric Holard, Chief Executive Officer of National Cement, commented: “This is an exciting and transformative project for the cement industry. We are making a significant investment because we believe in creating a cleaner future and bringing innovation to domestic manufacturing. CTV’s leadership in safe and responsible carbon management, combined with our strategic and operational alignment, provides a clear pathway for this project being successful.”

Including this MOU with National Cement, CTV’s total carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects under consideration now stand at nearly 9 MMTPA of CO₂ emissions, reinforcing its domestic leadership in industrial decarbonisation and carbon storage solutions.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/04032025/carbon-terravault-and-national-cement-sign-mou-for-californias-first-net-zero-cement-facility/