CURRENT SITUATION
The European Green Deal targets (40% GHG emission reduction by 2030, climate neutrality by 2050) are a major challenge for the energy-intensive process industry. While renewable energy can alleviate a significant part of GHG emissions, it offers no solution for process-inherent emissions. The cement industry (responsible for 6-8% of global GHG emissions) is looking for alternative materials to replace Portland clinker, to reduce the enormous amounts of CO₂ emitted during the calcination of limestone. This need is particularly dire in view of the steel industry’s transition to H2-based DRI-EAF, thereby phasing out blast furnace slag as cement replacement. Capture can assist in the abatement of CO₂ emissions, but is costly.
The first climate-neutral continent by 2050
At least 55% less net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels
3 billion additional trees to be planted in the EU by 2030
CONCEPT
We aim to utilise CO₂ from industrial flue gases for the production of a wide range of low-carbon building material intermediates and construction end-products. Additional CO₂-emission reductions are obtained by replacing CO₂-intensive Portland clinker and using secondary raw materials (steel slags, construction waste).
GOALS
A total of 8 industrial pilots will be built and operated across the process value chain from CO₂ capture to cement production and low-carbon construction products.
Technical, environmental, and economic feasibility will be validated by an integrated assessment and the development of a service life test package tailored to these new products.
Co-learning modules are developed to support industrial implementation and market introduction. A consortium of technology providers, producers and research partners will develop, test, and demonstrate the processes.