Heidelberg Materials initiate project Anthemis
Company to build one-of-a-kind hybrid carbon capture unit at Belgian Antoing cement plant
HEIDELBERG Materials intend to equip the Antoing cement plant of their Belgian subsidiary CBR with an innovative hybrid carbon capture unit in a project called Anthemis.
Antoing is a state-of-the-art plant with one of the world’s best-performing kilns in terms of specific CO2 emissions. Recently modernized, the kiln is ready to be used for project Anthemis with no further need for modification.
The innovative second-generation OxyCal concept combines established Oxyfuel and Amine capture technology in a hybrid unit that no longer requires an additional preheater tower. This means a significant reduction in the need for structural steel and concrete, which will considerably improve the resource efficiency of the system.
Once operational, the project will reduce CO2 emissions from Antoing by more than 97%, equating to around 800,000 tonnes of captured CO2 annually.
‘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 of Heidelberg Materials.
‘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 10 years of operation. This is a key contribution to Belgium’s transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.’
To support the construction of the capture unit, the company will seek national, regional, and EU funding. With its geographical location more than 100km from the coast, Antoing will be the first inland cement plant in Western Europe to supply carbon-free cement.
While the project will focus on the carbon capture process, Heidelberg Materials say collaborations will be established with various partners to transport and store the captured carbon, with the aim of creating a complete CO2 value chain.
