Energy major TotalEnergies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Belgian cement manufacturer Holcim to work on solutions aimed at decarbonising one of its cement manufacturing plants.
Cement is a vital ingredient of concrete, and it is the most widely consumed product in the world, after potable water. Unfortunately though, the industry is a major emitter of carbon dioxide, with about two-thirds of these emissions resulting from calcination, an unavoidable chemical reaction that occurs when the raw materials are exposed in kilns to high temperatures.
Under the terms of the MoU, both parties will contribute their leading expertise and technologies to develop solutions to abate CO2 emissions at Holcim’s Obourg production facility, which currently emits some 1.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. Central to this effort will be a revolutionary air-oxyfuel switchable kiln that will help capture and purify carbon dioxide in the flue gases.
TotalEnergies Senior Vice President Christophe Sassolas pointed out the relevance of this project to other operators:
“TotalEnergies is looking forward to deploying other integrated solutions like this one elsewhere, as we move toward reducing our scope 3 emissions, in line with our Climate Ambition to get to Net Zero emissions by 2050, together with society.”
TotalEnergies, which also makes the Total lubricant range, will either transport the captured carbon for sequestration under the North Sea or use it as feedstock for a new e-fuel. The company will also look at developing the capacity for producing green hydrogen to fuel the new kiln.
