Heidelberg Materials inaugurates the world's first industrial-scale carbon capture facility
Today marks the inauguration of Brevik CCS in Norway – the world's first large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility in the global cement industry. The project marks a historic milestone in the transition to climate-neutral construction.
During a ceremony at the cement plant in Brevik, Norway's Crown Prince Haakon unveiled a concrete plaque symbolising this technological and climatic achievement. Among the more than 320 guests were Norway's Minister of Energy Terje Aasland, Heidelberg Materials CEO Dominik von Achten, and representatives from international authorities, industry, NGOs and start-ups.
Part of Norway's Longship project
Brevik CCS is a central part of Longship – Norway's national initiative to establish a complete value chain for carbon dioxide capture, transport and storage from hard-to-abate industries. The facility in Brevik will capture approximately 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
The captured carbon dioxide will be converted into liquid form, transported to a terminal on the west coast and then piped to permanent geological storage under the North Sea. Northern Lights is responsible for transport and storage.
“As a key part of Norway's Langskip programme, Brevik CCS is a powerful example of how business and government can work together to pave the way for a more sustainable future.” said Norway's Minister of Energy Terje Aasland. “This type of collaboration can foster innovation and kick-start the development of new markets for climate technology.”
World's first cement for net-zero concrete launched
The first volumes of carbon dioxide have already been captured and temporarily stored. In June, Northern Lights began the first transports of carbon dioxide to its intermediate storage facility in Øygarden. In the coming months, the first carbon dioxide is planned to be stored geologically under the seabed in the North Sea. Heidelberg Materials will then begin delivering evoZero, the world's first CCS-based cement for net-zero concrete, to customers in Europe.
“Brevik CCS is a true pioneering project. Thousands of people from all over the world have already visited the facility to learn from our experience. This is not just a technical masterpiece, but a concrete example of industrial leadership on climate issues,” said Giv Brantenberg, General Manager of Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe.
Technical integration and skills development
CCS technology has been integrated into the existing cement production in Brevik without disrupting ongoing operations. To ensure competence and safety, 30 employees have been recruited and undergone specialised training to be responsible for the operation of the plant.
Next step: Large-scale CCS investment in Sweden
Brevik is the first in a growing global portfolio of CCS projects within Heidelberg Materials. Next in line is a CCS fa
cility more than four times larger at the Slite plant, which supplies cement to the majority of Sweden's construction sector.
The Slite project has the potential to reduce Sweden's total carbon dioxide emissions by four per cent. The environmental assessment has begun, cooperation with electricity network operators has been established and the procurement of technical consultants is being prepared.
“We are working decisively to succeed in the transition of one of Europe’s largest cement plants. Slite CCS is a complex project at the global forefront, but also a necessary project to ensure future competitiveness and security of supply,” says Karin Comstedt Webb, Senior Vice President of Heidelberg Materials Sweden.
