Key contribution to HeidelbergCement’s ambitious new sustainability targets: CCS project in Sweden takes next step

• HeidelbergCement and its Swedish subsidiary Cementa present positive results of a pre-feasibility study for the Slite CCS (carbon capture and storage) project

• The installation at the Slite cement plant on the Swedish island of Gotland will be scaled to capture up to 1.8 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, equalling 3% of the country’s total emissions 

• Slite CCS is the largest CCUS project yet for HeidelbergCement, and in the cement industry

HeidelbergCement and its Swedish subsidiary Cementa are stepping up their activities with one of Sweden's largest climate transition initiatives: At a press conference today, the promising results of the pre-feasibility study for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at Cementa’s plant in Slite were presented. A new grant from the Swedish Energy Agency will support the next steps towards carbon-neutral cement production in Sweden by 2030.

“Just a few days ago, we published new sustainability targets, underlining the importance of CCUS as one key lever to almost halve our CO₂ footprint by 2030 compared to 1990, and achieve Net Zero by 2050 at the latest,“ said Dr Dominik von Achten, Chairman of the Managing Board of HeidelbergCement: “Slite CCS is the largest CCUS project yet in our Group and the cement industry, and a model for what will be achievable with CCUS also beyond 2030. As this initiative contributes considerably to the climate ambitions of Sweden, and is a unique project for us in terms of scale, we are keen to make it happen.” 

The Slite plant has a favorable location directly at a sea-harbor, and there are several storage solutions under development in the North Sea where Northern Lights is the most advanced today.

The installation at the Slite cement plant on the Swedish island of Gotland will be scaled to capture up to 1.8 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, which corresponds to the plant’s total emissions and is equivalent to 3% of the country’s total emissions. Additionally, the use of bio-based fuels in the cement production at Slite will be increased in line with HeidelbergCement’s commitment to significantly raise the share of biomass in the fuel mix. The full-scale capturing of the plant’s CO₂ emissions is targeted by 2030. 

In the pre-feasibility study, amine capture was found to be the most suitable technology. The implementation of the capture facility requires significant rebuilding and extension measures to the plant – a process that is starting now to meet the schedule. The power demand will also increase significantly.

“As we capture and store CO₂ from the cement production, including emissions from bioenergy, we will be able to manufacture carbon-free cement for the Swedish construction industry. Regarding the project planning and execution, we will benefit greatly from our experience gained with the Brevik CCS project in Norway, which is under construction to be operational in 2024. We welcome and rely on the commitment and support from our partners, and are confident that we will solve important issues such as energy supply and co-financing as well,” said Giv Brantenberg, General Manager HeidelbergCement Northern Europe. 

About HeidelbergCement

HeidelbergCement is one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions, with leading market positions in aggregates, cement, and ready-mixed concrete. More than 51,000 employees at nearly 3,000 locations in over 50 countries deliver long-term financial performance through operational excellence and openness for change. At the center of actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As forerunner on the path to carbon neutrality, HeidelbergCement crafts material solutions for the future.