A carbon-capture solvent helping cement production get to Net Zero

The technology uses 40 per cent less energy than other carbon capture technologies, making it a low cost solution to decarbonisation

Spotted: Cement is one of the most popular building materials worldwide – but the process of creating it is emissions-intensive. Hanson’s Ketton cement works in Rutland is trialling a solution to capture carbon emissions, as part of a new BEIS-funded carbon capture project.

As ground limestone and clay are heated to create cement, carbon dioxide is released as a by-product. The technology, called C-Capture, uses a solvent to selectively capture the CO2 produced. It uses 40 per cent less energy than other carbon capture technologies, which significantly reduces the cost of decarbonisation.

The system can be retrofitted to existing cement kilns or designed into new ones and the CO2 captured can be compressed and sent for storage in safe, geological reserves or utilised in other industries. Simon Wills, Hanson CEO, said: “Carbon capture is a critical part of our strategy to decarbonise cement production and essential if we are to reach next zero carbon by 2050.”

Alongside the trial taking place at Hanson’s Ketton cement works, the technology is also being tested in the glass industry and at a waste to energy plant in Hull. If successful, the technology could be rolled out across other sites across the Heidelberg Cement Group and commercial scale C-Capture facilities could be in place by 2030.

Springwise has recently spotted other innovations working to capture carbon. Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to turn waste plastic into a material that can absorb CO2 gas, while Neustark in Switzerland can permanently store CO2 in a recycled, sustainable concrete material.

Written By: Joanna Robertson