First fully decarbonised cement plant in Germany: Heidelberg Materials gets support from the EU Innovation Fund

• Heidelberg Materials’ newly launched GeZero carbon capture project will fully decarbonise cement production at the company’s Geseke plant in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• The first-of-its-kind project will showcase an entire CCS value chain solution for an inland location and aims to capture 700,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually from 2029
• The EU Innovation Fund supports flagship projects bringing significant emission reductions – in response to its third call for large-scale projects the European Commission had received 239 applications

The EU Innovation Fund, one of the world’s largest funding programmes for innovative low-carbon technologies, has selected Heidelberg Materials’ pioneering GeZero Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project for Grant Agreement Preparation. As part of the project, a completely new concept and operational design will be implemented in the company's German cement plant in Geseke. “With GeZero, we will once again show how Heidelberg Materials’ pioneering spirit is paving the way for the decarbonisation of our industry,” said Dr Dominik von Achten, CEO of Heidelberg Materials. “We will be the first to realise a full CCS chain for the capture, transport, and permanent storage of all CO₂ emissions from an inland location in Germany. I   appreciate the support of the EU Innovation Fund, which expresses both an important recognition and the required backing from the political side.”

GeZero’s unique approach will model a solution for inland sites that are not in close proximity to the coast or a waterway. The project includes a transport solution to bridge the gap until the necessary pipeline infrastructure will be available and is scaled to capture around 700,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. As the facility also captures emissions from biomass substituting fossil fuels, Geseke will be one of the first European cement plants able to produce fully decarbonised cement and clinker. Construction of the facility will start in 2026, and commissioning is planned for 2029.

“We are eager to get started. GeZero is a true early-mover project for fast and deep decarbonisation in one of the biggest industrial countries globally. With its completely new logistical concept, it adds an important model solution for inland industrial sites to our existing CCUS portfolio,” said Dr Nicola Kimm, Chief Sustainability Officer and member of the Managing Board. 

In addition to the capture facility, the GeZero project will bring a new 2nd generation oxyfuel kiln combined with CO₂ purification, a liquefaction unit, as well as rail loading and interim storage facilities. The electrical energy demand is to be covered exclusively by renewable energies. A new photovoltaic plant on the factory premises will help cover the demand. 

Project partner Wintershall Dea will be responsible for the permanent storage of the CO₂. Once captured, it will be transported to Wintershall Dea’s distribution hub in Wilhelmshaven. From there, it will be transported via ship/pipeline to offshore storage sites in the North Sea. To create further synergies, GeZero will also act as a reception hub for local, smaller CO₂ emitters, giving them access to the intermediate storage and rail loading infrastructure. 

“This project sets an important milestone for the cement industry and for effective carbon management in Germany. We are now counting on the tailwind of Germany’s future Carbon Management Strategy and the regulatory framework to come,” said Christian Knell, General Manager Germany of Heidelberg Materials.

The EU Innovation Fund focuses on flagship projects with European value added that can bring significant emission reductions.  In response to its third call for large-scale projects, the European Commission had received 239 applications. 41 projects were selected for preparation of a Grant Agreement, including five from the cement and lime sector. The final grant agreement is expected for end of 2023. 

Caption

Heidelberg Materials’ cement plant in Geseke, Germany 

About Heidelberg Materials

Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. We are represented in more than 50 countries with around 51,000 employees at almost 3,000 locations. At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.