The core objective of the GreenCem project is to investigate the possibilities for CO₂-capturing in the Aalborg area and provide a pre-study of a full technical layout and basis for an energy-efficient carbon capture solution at Aalborg Portland’s cement plant in Aalborg, Denmark. The pre-study includes assessing both the feasibility of a liquefaction facility for storage and a Power-to-X plant for utilizing captured CO₂ in reaction with hydrogen for producing the green e-fuel eMethanol. The project results will provide knowledge which will also be useful for determination the potential of carbon capture at other large cement-processing plants.

The GreenCem pre-study will identify the most promising capture technology for an integrated carbon capture facility that is uniquely matched to the process conditions at Aalborg Portland in terms of available thermal energy, flue gas composition and site logistics leading to the lowest possible carbon capture cost.

The project will investigate the possibilities for storage and utilization of the CO₂ that will be captured from Aalborg Portland’s cement production processes. The combined outputs from the CCUS investigation, lifecycle analyses and techno-economic assessments of the project will lay out all economic and sustainability aspects of the possible solutions. The key outcome of the project is an early and preliminary technical and economic decision basis for the project partners, to consider on further steps in terms of a test facility and in the long term potentially a larger facility.

The global production of cement has grown very rapidly in recent years, and after fossil fuels and land-use change, it is the third-largest source of anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide with an annual emission of 1,8-2,0 GtCO₂/y representing about 5-8% of global emissions.

Several scenarios have been made for the cement sector to achieve deep CO₂ emission reductions and they all primarily conclude that Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) has the largest CO₂ reduction potential and is mandatory to reach the global climate targets. CCUS is a combination of technologies designed to prevent the release of CO₂ by either recycling the CO₂ into fuels and chemicals or injecting the CO₂ in suitable underground storage reservoirs. Basically, capture technology separates CO₂ emissions from the process, after which the compressed CO₂ is either used or transported to a suitable geological storage location. The solutions and technological developments of the GreenCem project can be utilized at other cement plants globally.

The partners in the GreenCem project are Aalborg Portland, Aalborg University, DFDS, Aalborg Energi Holding, Port of Aalborg, REintegrate, RenoNord and Hydrogen Valley. COWI is represented in the project as a consultant.

The GreenCem project has received funding from the EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program). The EUDP supports development and demonstration of new energy technologies, supporting the danish objectives within energy and climate.