Displaying items by tag: CO2
Canada: Heidelberg Materials North America has awarded Technip Energies a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for its carbon capture project at the Edmonton cement plant in Alberta. The project will deploy Shell’s Cansolv CO2 capture system to remove 1Mt/yr from the plant’s flue gases. Carbon capture will commence in late 2026, subject to funding finalisation.
Heidelberg Materials North America’s Northwest regional vice president, cement operations, Joerg Nixdorf said “We are excited to take this latest step in our journey to produce the world’s first net-zero cement.” Nixdorf added “With each milestone we come closer to realising our vision of leading the decarbonisation of the cement industry.”
Technip Energies’ senior vice president of decarbonization solutions Christophe Malaurie said “We are pleased to have been selected by Heidelberg Materials North America to provide the FEED of this groundbreaking project in Canada. Leveraging our carbon capture solution powered by the Shell Cansolv CO2 capture system, we are committed to supporting the decarbonisation of the cement industry and Heidelberg towards the production of net-zero cement.”
EU: The World Cement Association (WCA) has lent its voice to cross-industry support for the roll-out of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The mechanism taxes carbon-intensive imports, including cement, in order to prevent carbon leakage under the Emissions Trading Scheme. It first entered force on 1 October 2023, and will conclude its transitional period on 31 December 2025. Through its involvement, the WCA aims to inform and facilitate understanding of CBAM's reporting requirements, emission calculation methodologies and the workings of the CBAM Transitional Registry. WCA members and other stakeholders can access up-to-date CBAM information via a dedicated page on the association’s website.
WCA chief executive officer Ian Riley said "I'm pleased to announce our commitment to supporting our members in addressing the challenges and opportunities of this crucial initiative. The WCA is committed to supporting solutions that promote environmental responsibility and sustainability within the cement industry. We aim to work closely with our members and other stakeholders to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the CBAM regulation, ultimately contributing to a greener and more resilient global economy."
Aker Solutions secures contract for Oslo CO2 terminal
15 February 2024Norway: Aker Solutions has won a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract to develop Hafslund Oslo Celsio’s Port of Oslo CO2 terminal. The unit will facilitate the transport of CO2 to the Øygarden Northern Lights site under the Longship carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative. The initiative involves Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe’s Brevik cement plant.
Aker Solutions’ executive vice president, new energies, Henrik Inadomi said “At Aker Solutions, we have a growing track record in supporting our customers across the entire CCS value chain. From capture and transportation to permanent storage, we provide innovative solutions and work with leading partners to support CCS developments across the globe. We are committed to building on this expertise and further strengthening our relationship with Celsio. We are proud to have engineered a cost efficient and effective layout which enabled Celsio to proceed with the next phase of this landmark development.”
Cemex and Orcan Energy extend waste heat recovery partnership
15 February 2024Mexico/Germany: Cemex and waste heat recovery (WHR) systems developer Orcan Energy plan to scale up WHR technologies supplied by Orcan Energy at multiple Cemex sites globally. This new multi-site portfolio approach extends an existing partnership, through which the companies trialled Orcan’s systems for electricity generation at Cemex Deutschland’s Rüdersdorf cement plant in Germany.
Cemex’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia regional president Sergio Menéndez said “We already have an initial collaboration with Orcan. Based on the modularity of their solution, Orcan offers the flexibility of both installation and contracts. Thanks to this crucial flexibility, we can adapt to any upcoming changes in our plants. The approach enables us to reduce carbon emissions right now without limiting ourselves in implementing any future technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage. This partnership will help us achieve our sustainability targets and contribute to our aim to use all available heat.”
Orcan Energy’s chief executive officer Andreas Sichert said “We are looking forward to entering this large-scale decarbonisation partnership with Cemex after our initial cooperation in Germany. This step is a testament to Cemex’s forward-looking strategy and the company’s commitment to achieving net zero. For Orcan Energy, this is another milestone in scaling the business internationally with global enterprises. We are proud to be the partner of choice for the cement industry. Our large footprint across the industry shows the economic capability and the technical excellence of our modular and flexible solution, especially in view of uncertain future economic and regulative developments.”
Eqiom commences Lumbres cement plant decarbonisation upgrade
14 February 2024France: CRH subsidiary Eqiom has commenced the first phase of its K6 decarbonisation project at its Lumbres cement plant in Hauts-de-France. In this phase, the producer will build a new production line that uses alternative fuels. This will reduce the plant’s specific CO2 emissions per tonne of clinker by 20%. Eqiom says that this will pave the way for future carbon capture efforts at the plant, with a view to achieving net zero CO2 clinker production.
Cementos Argos to use microalgae for carbon capture
14 February 2024Colombia: Cementos Argos has partnered with Ecopetrol, EAFIT and the University of Antioquia to develop a method of carbon capture using microalgae that also produces useable biomass. The partners will process this biomass into biocrude, with similar properties to fuel oil.
Cementos Argos’ project leader Gabriel Vargas said, “In microalgae we found a potential alternative, but this involved developing a technology for microorganisms to eat CO2 and grow from there. Then, looking for what we could use that biological material for, we saw an opportunity in biofuels. That's when, with the help of the PQI research group at the University of Antioquia, which had already been carrying out studies on the hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass, we began to refine that process.”
Cemex reports sales growth in 2023
09 February 2024Mexico: Cemex reported sales of US$17.4bn in 2023, up by 8% year-on-year from 2022 levels. Meanwhile, the group’s operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 20% to US$3.35bn. The producer said that strong product pricing in all markets and slowing costs inflation compounded the positive effects of its growth investment strategy. On a consolidated basis, Cemex’s cement sales volumes fell by 6% to 51.7Mt from 55.1Mt. They rose by 3% in Mexico but fell by 10% in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia, by 3% in South and Central America and the Caribbean and by 13% in the US.
Chief executive officer Fernando González said "I am pleased to announce that 2023 is a great year for our company where we delivered not only great results and recovered from the extraordinary inflationary pressures of the last few years, but also continued executing against our ambitious decarbonisation commitments, reducing our CO2 emissions by 4% year-on-year and by 13% since 2020. Despite the significant macro challenges of the last four years, we have proven not only the resilience of our business model but also our ability to pivot and adjust rapidly to changing global conditions. This foundation gives us additional flexibility in capital allocation, where we continue to accelerate investments in our bolt-on growth strategy, initiate a sustainable return programme for shareholders and bolster our capital structure."
Cemex earns CDP climate A rating
08 February 2024Mexico: Cemex has secured a place on environmental non-profit organisation CDP's 2023 A List for its leadership and transparency in delivering CO2 emissions reduction. Since initiating its Future in Action sustainability initiative in 2020, Cemex achieved a 13% reduction in its CO2 emissions up to 2023.
Cemex CEO Fernando González said "We are proud to be part of this prestigious group of climate action leaders and to receive CDP’s A rating, which reflects Cemex’s leadership in climate action and transparency through significant demonstrable actions. In this Decade to Deliver, we are committed to reaching our ambitious decarbonisation goals so that Net Zero is achievable by 2050."
Germany: Orcan Energy has expanded its Kiel plant in order to produce its waste heat recovery (WHR) systems entirely on-site. The expansion aims to meet increased global demand, in line with Orcan Energy's strategy to help reduce CO2 emissions from cement and other industries.
Orcan Energy CEO Andreas Sichert said "The decision to expand our in-house production capacity in Kiel reflects our commitment to growth and innovation in Germany. With roots in Munich and a range of global projects, we can promote sustainable change around the world from Germany. I look forward to working together with my colleagues in Kiel to contribute to a profitable and sustainable energy future."
Votorantim Cimentos achieves top CDP climate rating
07 February 2024Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos has earned an A the CDP Climate Change 2023 Questionnaire. This achievement reflects the producer's leadership in climate change performance and transparency. Between 1990 and 2022, Votorantim Cimentos reduced its CO2 emissions per tonne of cement produced by 24%.
Global director of sustainability, institutional relations, product development and engineering Álvaro Lorenz said "Earning the highest score from CDP is something we are very proud of. We work daily to achieve our goals in line with our 2030 Sustainability Commitments and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Tackling the negative effects of climate change is at the core of our strategy and we recognise the role, importance and relevance of our decarbonisation journey."