Heidelberg Materials and Canadian Government to Develop First Global Net Zero Carbon Capture and Storage Facility in Cement Industry
Heidelberg Materials, a leading producer of building materials, has announced the successful completion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the company and the Government of Canada. This partnership will support the development of the cement industry’s first global full-scale Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) facility at the company’s Edmonton location. This milestone is fundamental to achieving a viable business case that will allow this groundbreaking, first mover project to be realized.
First Global Net Zero Carbon Capture and Storage Facility (CCUS) in the Cement Industry
The new facility is expected to be operational by late 2026 and will capture more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually from Heidelberg Materials’ Edmonton cement production facility and the combined heat and power facility that is integrated with the capture process. This will make it the world’s first carbon-neutral cement plant and a significant step towards achieving Heidelberg Materials’ vision of leading the decarbonization of the cement industry.
Heidelberg Materials committed $25 million in Q3-2022 to support the front-end engineering and design processes critical to the project’s success. A project feasibility study was first announced in 2019 and received a $1.4 million contribution from Emissions Reduction Alberta, which was completed in 2021.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said that “there is a growing urgency for rapid decarbonization in high-emitting sectors, including the cement and concrete industry, and 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 in our fight against climate change, and Canada is proud to be partnering with Heidelberg Materials in the development of this innovative clean technology.”
Heidelberg Materials is actively contributing to the development of the new 1.5°C framework, and the company was the first in the cement sector to have its targets endorsed by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) in 2019.
Oliver Patsch, President of the Northwest Region for Heidelberg Materials North America, said that “this pioneering initiative places the City of Edmonton at the epicenter of the cement industry’s decarbonization efforts. We welcome the support from the Government of Canada and look forward to the next steps in this industry-leading CCUS project.”
The announcement of the partnership between Heidelberg Materials and the Government of Canada has been welcomed by various officials, including Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, who said that “this budget and today’s announcement are statements that Alberta will continue to be not only relevant but also forward-thinking as we assert ourselves as global leaders in the net-zero future.”
Heidelberg Materials
Mayor of Edmonton, Amarjeet Sohi, added that “this announcement today by Heidelberg Materials and the Government of Canada supports the City of Edmonton’s commitment to transition to a low-carbon future and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By preserving our environment and diversifying our economy in innovative ways, we can build a more sustainable Edmonton for all of us.”
In conclusion, the partnership between Heidelberg Materials and the Government of Canada is a significant milestone towards achieving a viable business case for the cement industry’s first global full-scale CCUS facility. This initiative will not only help to decarbonize the cement industry but also contribute to the fight against climate change.