Cement industry’s first net-zero carbon capture and storage facility coming to Canada
By Adam Freill
Concrete Construction Construction Materials Green ConstructionHeidelberg Materials entering a partnership with Canadian government for the construction of the carbon capture facility in Edmonton.
Lehigh Cement Edmonton Plant. (Photo courtesy of Heidelberg Materials)
Heidelberg Materials has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Canada to support the company’s plan to develop the cement industry’s first global full scale Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) facility at the company’s Edmonton location.
The new facility, which Heidelberg Materials anticipates being operational by late 2026, will capture more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually from its Edmonton cement production facility and the combined heat and power facility that is integrated with the capture process.
“Our Edmonton CCUS project as the world’s first carbon neutral cement plant is another milestone in Heidelberg Materials’ ambitious drive to lead the industry to net zero, and we are excited to begin realizing this as soon as possible,” shared Chris Ward, president and CEO of Heidelberg Materials North America. “We are very fortunate to partner with the government of Canada in this endeavor and we look forward to continued collaboration as we move forward with this exciting project.”
A project feasibility study was completed in 2021. Last year, Heidelberg Materials committed $25 million in Q3 to support the front-end engineering and design processes critical to the project’s success.
“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,” stated François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “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.”
“Today is a great milestone in our journey to produce the world’s first net-zero cement,” said Oliver Patsch, president of the Northwest Region for Heidelberg Materials North America. “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.”
