CCUS technology yields first carbon neutral cement plant
Sources: Heidelberg Materials North America, Irving, Texas; CMCM staff
A Heidelberg Materials and Government of Canada memorandum of understanding will support development of a full scale carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) facility at the company’s Edmonton cement plant. With projected annual capacity exceeding 1 million tonnes, the facility will harness CO2 from cement production plus the combined heat and power infrastructure integrated with the capture process.
Heidelberg Materials Edmonton cement mill
“Our Edmonton CCUS project as the world’s first carbon neutral cement plant is another milestone in our ambitious drive to lead the industry to net zero,” says Heidelberg Materials North America President and CEO Chris Ward. “We are very fortunate to partner with the Government of Canada in this endeavor and look forward to continued collaboration.”
“This partnership shows that our government is committed to the hard-working people of Alberta, as well as to the greening of Canada’s production of concrete and cement,” affirms Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne. “By working hand in hand with the industry, we can support the adoption of innovative technologies that will contribute to lower emissions and increased competitiveness. Carbon capture is an important tool, and Canada is proud to be partnering with Heidelberg Materials in the development of this clean technology.”
“This pioneering initiative places the City of Edmonton at the epicenter of the cement industry’s decarbonization efforts,” adds Heidelberg Materials Northwest Region President Oliver Patsch.
The CCUS facility is scheduled for operation by 2026. Work is proceeding on the heels of Heidelberg Materials’ $25 million commitment to support critical front-end engineering and design processes. That Q3 2022 outlay was based on findings from a project feasibility study, performed from 2019-2021 and backed with a $1.4 million Emissions Reduction Alberta grant. The Edmonton investment will contribute to Science Based Targets initiative-validated
CO2 reduction measures that German parent company HeidelbergCement AG has outlined for its global cement, aggregate and concrete operations.
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