Pioneering CCUS in Bulgaria: HeidelbergCement’s ANRAV project selected by EU Innovation Fund

• ANRAV aims to realise the first CCUS cluster in Eastern Europe 

• Carbon emissions from the Devnya cement plant in Bulgaria are to be captured and transported to offshore permanent storage in the Black Sea 

• Other industries in the region of Varna will be able to benefit from this breakthrough project 

HeidelbergCement’s newly launched ANRAV CCUS project has been selected for Grant Agreement Preparation by the EU Innovation Fund, meaning that the project’s implementation will be supported. ANRAV aims to be the first full-chain CCUS project in Eastern Europe. It will link carbon capture facilities at the Bulgarian cement plant of HeidelbergCement’s subsidiary Devnya Cement through a pipeline system with offshore permanent storage under the Black Sea. 

“As the EU Innovation Fund is known to focus on technologies that bring on significant emission reductions, we are particularly pleased to have been recognised with our ANRAV CCUS project,“ says Dr Dominik von Achten, Chairman of the Managing Board of HeidelbergCement: “HeidelbergCement is rapidly progressing on a number of large-scale carbon capture initiatives globally, covering a range of promising options for both utilisation and storage. ANRAV now has the potential to pave the way for CCUS in Eastern Europe as well.”  

“Our vision in the ANRAV consortium is to realise an economically viable CCUS cluster for Bulgaria and the neighbouring regions”, says Mihail Polendakov, HeidelbergCement’s Managing Director for Bulgaria, Greece and Albania: “It is an integral part of our planning to open up opportunities for others as well.” The project is carried out jointly with the oil and gas company Petroceltic. Subject to regulatory and permitting aspects, it could start operation as early as 2028, with a capturing capacity of 800,000 t CO₂ p.a.  

The EU Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the commercial demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. It aims to bring industrial solutions to the market to decarbonise Europe and support its transition to climate neutrality. 

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.