SLB Capturi has announced the mechanical completion of its carbon capture plant at Heidelberg Materials’ cement facility in Brevik, Norway.
Once operational, the facility will be the world’s first commercial-scale carbon capture plant at a cement site, capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 400,000 metric tonnes annually.
The project marks a step forward in decarbonising the cement industry, which faces unique challenges due to the inherent emissions of cement production.
By integrating a carbon capture system, compression system, heat integration, intermediate storage, and loadout facilities, the plant will enable the production of Net Zero cement without compromising product quality or strength, according to the partners.
“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the power of working together and the collective determination to make a positive climate impact,” said Egil Fagerland, CEO of SLB Capturi.
“We look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts as we move toward the commissioning and operational phases of the project. The Brevik CCS plant sets a precedent for future carbon capture initiatives, where learnings and insights from this groundbreaking project enable others to follow.”
The plant is part of The Longship CCS project, Europe’s first full-scale value chain for capturing, transporting, and storing industrial CO2 emissions.
Giv Brantenberg, general manager for Northern Europe at Heidelberg Materials, emphasised the importance of the achievement, stating: “The mechanical completion of the Brevik CCS project is a landmark achievement in the decarbonisation journey of the cement industry.”
“This project exemplifies our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of solutions that address the pressing issue of climate change. We are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work of our teams and partners who have made this possible.”
The Brevik facility now moves into the testing and commissioning phase, with operations expected to commence in 2025.
The cement industry is responsible for around 7-8% of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to approximately 2.9 billion tonnes annually, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The emissions stem primarily from the chemical process of calcination, making decarbonisation essential to meet Net Zero goals. China, the world’s largest cement producer, accounts for over half of these emissions.
Efforts to decarbonise the sector are growing. Europe is spearheading innovative projects such as Norcem’s initiative in Norway, where carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology aims to capture up to 400,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
In Germany, Heidelberg Materials is trialling green hydrogen to replace fossil fuels in kilns, while LafargeHolcim is exploring carbon mineralisation technologies in Canada.
