The pilot study shows that a carbon capture plant at the cement factory in Slite on Gotland has the potential to be a carbon-positive project. In line with an increasing share of biofuel, the plant can capture and store more carbon dioxide than the factory emits, says Cementa in a press release.

CCS possible in Slite

The plant is set to be complete by 2030 and will capture and store up to 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. This is equivalent to 3% of Sweden’s total emissions.

– The pilot study shows that CCS is entirely possible in Slite. Together with our experience from the project in Norway, we now have a good idea of how we can proceed in Sweden. The Nordic countries are capable of leading the climate transition in the building and construction sector, says Giv Brantenberg, CEO of HeidelbergCement Northern Europe.

HeidelbergCement is building the first CCS plant in the cement industry in Brevik, Norway, through their collaboration with the Norwegian state on the Longship project. The Norwegian plant is due to start operations in 2024, and the amine technology used in Brevik is also the first choice for the carbon capture plant in Slite.

Giv Brantenberg, CEO of HeidelbergCement Northern Europe. Photo: Cementa

Energy need is a critical factor

With the help of a grant from the Swedish Energy Agency of SEK 51 million, Cementa is about to begin a feasibility study involving investments of SEK 124 million. This involves, among other things, more precisely defining how the plant should be built and meeting its energy needs.

Energy needs are the most critical factor for establishing the plant.

– By 2030, we should be able use climate-positive concrete in construction in Sweden. We can achieve this if we are able to cut carbon emissions from cement production, and CCS is the way of achieving this at large scale. The Swedish building and construction sector shows that the demand exists, and we are ready. I look forward to constructive collaboration with all the stakeholders involved, primarily on gaining authorisations and the energy needs, so that Sweden can continue to be a pioneering country when it comes to the industrial green transition, says Karin Comstedt Webb, Senior Vice President at HeidelbergCement Sweden.

Source: cementa.se

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