In a landmark move for the decarbonisation of the cement industry, the EU Innovation Fund has allocated €191 million to support Heidelberg Materials in the GeZero project, which involves developing a unique carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain at the German Geseke cement plant.  This funding is a significant boost to Heidelberg Materials’ efforts, supplementing its considerable investments in the project. The grant agreement, recently concluded, marks the official commencement of the project on 1 January 2024.

Dr. Nicola Kimm, Chief Sustainability Officer and Member of the Managing Board of Heidelberg Materials, expressed the project’s importance. “The successful Grant Agreement demonstrates the relevance of GeZero for the decarbonisation of our sector, and the trust that European authorities place in our approach,” he stated. He also mentioned the introduction of the evoZero brand, the world’s first carbon captured net-zero cement, initially offered through their Brevik CCS project in Norway. The GeZero project is set to significantly accelerate the industry’s decarbonisation process.

Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy and Deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, highlighted the regional impact of the project. She emphasized that GeZero is not only a flagship project for sustainable and climate-neutral cement production but also a significant step towards a net-zero industry in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond.

The GeZero project’s innovative approach includes constructing a capture facility and a new oxyfuel kiln, along with a CO₂ transport solution via train. This interim solution bridges the gap until the necessary pipeline infrastructure is available. The project aims to capture around 700,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, with the CO₂ being safely stored in the North Sea through Wintershall Dea’s CO₂ hub. Construction is set to start in 2026, with commissioning planned for 2029.

Christian Knell, General Manager Germany of Heidelberg Materials, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project. “Together with our partners, we walk the talk and pave the way for CCUS in Germany,” he said. The project is part of a global initiative by Heidelberg Materials to inspire industry peers and other emission-intensive sectors.

The EU Innovation Fund focuses on flagship projects that bring significant emission reductions and have European value added. Heidelberg Materials’ ANRAV projects in Bulgaria, aiming to establish the first full-chain CCUS facility in Eastern Europe, also received backing from the EU Innovation Fund last year. The GeZero project, with a capture capacity of about 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, is set to start from 2028, highlighting the EU’s commitment to supporting sustainable industrial practices and combatting climate change.

  Christian Knell, Dr. Nicola Kimm, EU Innovation Fund, Germany, GeZero project, Heidelberg Materials, Mona Neubaur