Cement industry is considered one of the main drivers of climate change, responsible for around 8% of global CO2 emissions. Up to 70% of CO2 emissions in cement production are due to the calcination of limestone (CaCO3). Limestone is the main raw material in the cement production process, and it is separated into calcium oxide (CaO) and CO2 at high temperature.

Some short term solutions on decarbonisation have been identified as levers that companies can pull without a step change in capex required, such as energy efficiency, alternative fuels and product innovation. However, these solutions are not sufficient to significantly reduce the industry’s current high carbon footprint. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is vital to decarbonize cement and lime manufacturing to help reach climate neutrality goals and lessen the negative environmental impacts caused by industrial emissions.

Relying on its industry leading experience in cryogenic technologies, Air Liquide E&C has developed a complete range of CO2 capture technologies called Cryocap™. Cryocap™ is a proprietary technological innovation for CO2 capture that is unique in the world. This technology is proven to be environmentally sustainable because it only requires electricity to operate, which can be supplied by green energy. As it is a high efficiency power-driven technology, CryocapTM is more advantageous compared to solvent based solutions using steam.