Heidelberg Materials plans to equip the Antoing plant if its Belgian subsidiary CBR with a hybrid carbon capture unit. Antoing is a modern cement plant with one of the ‘world’s best-performing’ kilns in terms of specific CO2 emissions, Heidelberg Materials claimed in a statement. The kiln was recently modernized and is ready to be used for the project, with no further modifications needed. 

The innovative second-generation OxyCal concept combines the established Oxyfuel and Amine capture technology in a hybrid unit that doesn’t require an additional preheater tower.  This will result in a considerable reduction in the need for structural steel and concrete, which significantly improves the resource efficiency of the system. The project will slash CO2 emissions from Antoing by more than 97%, the equivalent of 800,000 tons of captures CO2 per annum. 

“We are excited to add yet another pioneering technology to our CCUS project portfolio, and to build on what we have already achieved in terms of research and innovation,” said Dr Dominik von Achten, Chairman of the Managing Board. 

“From the Antoing plant alone, we will be able to offer more than 15 million tonnes of carbon-free cement to the construction market in the first ten years of operation. This is a key contribution to Belgium’s transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.” 

With its geographical location more than 100 kilometres from the coast, Antoing would be the first inland cement plant in Western Europe to supply carbon-free cement.

While the project will be focusing on the carbon capture process, collaborations will be established with various partners to transport and store the captured carbon, with the aim of creating a complete CO₂ value chain. To support the construction of the capture unit, the company will seek national, regional, and EU funding.

Press release by Heidelberg Materials 

Edited by Suzanna Hayek