Heidelberg Materials Secures Major Funding for Groundbreaking Carbon Capture Project in Indiana

(IN BRIEF) Heidelberg Materials has been granted up to US$500 million in funding by the US Department of Energy to advance industrial-scale carbon capture, transport, and storage (CCUS) at its cement plant in Mitchell, Indiana. This significant investment marks a pivotal step in Heidelberg’s commitment to decarbonizing its operations, aiming to reduce emissions by approximately 2 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030. The project, part of the DOE’s Industrial Demonstrations Program, underscores Heidelberg’s leadership in pioneering carbon capture solutions within the cement industry. Additionally, Heidelberg’s initiatives in North America, including the development of a full-scale carbon capture solution in Canada and the impending completion of the Brevik CCS project in Norway, highlight the company’s dedication to pioneering decarbonization efforts on a global scale.

(PRESS RELEASE) HEIDELBERG, 27-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Heidelberg Materials has been selected for funding of up to US$500 million to advance industrial-scale carbon capture, transport, and storage (CCUS) at its new state-of-the-art cement plant in Mitchell, Indiana, USA. The funding is part of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Industrial Demonstrations Program and builds on a prior award by the DOE toward verifying the project’s technical feasibility.

“Having reached this crucial milestone for our largest CCUS project to date underscores our pioneering role in the decarbonisation of our industry,” said Chairman of the Managing Board Dr Dominik von Achten. “This is yet another step on our path towards net zero: We are strongly committed to further reducing the carbon footprint of our sites and products to the greatest possible extent and are pushing for innovative ways to deploy scalable carbon capture solutions across the globe.”

The implementation at the company’s Mitchell site is one of 33 projects selected as part of the DOE’s Industrial Demonstrations Program to provide up to a total of US$6 billion to demonstrate commercial-scale decarbonisation solutions needed to move energy-intensive industries towards net zero across the USA. Once award negotiations are completed, Heidelberg Materials will complement the DOE funding with its own significant contribution.

“This substantial federal funding investment will help create the first full-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage on a cement plant in the US,” said Chris Ward, Member of the Managing Board of Heidelberg Materials and CEO of Heidelberg Materials North America. “Through this project at the Mitchell facility, Heidelberg Materials is investing in leading the development and application of CCUS in our industry. Successful implementation of this technology at scale will play a critical role in achieving our goal of net-zero cement and concrete in North America,” continued Ward.

The new Mitchell cement plant has recently been modernised to produce more than triple its previous capacity. The plant now includes features to minimise energy consumption and enable the use of alternative fuels and raw materials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed CCUS project will capture and prepare for storage or use of approximately 2 million tonnes of CO2 each year from 2030.

Achieving net zero in North America

Heidelberg Materials is strongly committed to carbon neutrality and circular economy in North America. With the acquisition of The SEFA Group, the largest recycler of harvested fly ash in the United States, Heidelberg Materials has been strengthening circularity within its value chain. The addition of fly ash as secondary cementitious material (SCM) helps to reduce the CO₂ intensity of concrete. At the Edmonton cement plant in Alberta, Canada, Heidelberg Materials is currently developing the world’s first full-scale carbon capture, utilisation, and storage solution in the cement industry. The project has already secured a first investment commitment from the Government of Canada.

Pioneering decarbonisation in the industry: CCS soon a reality

With the mechanical completion of its Norway-based Brevik CCS project targeted for the end of 2024, Heidelberg Materials will soon operate the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture facility in a cement plant. This enables the company to offer carbon captured net-zero cement under the new evoZero® brand from 2025.

About Heidelberg Materials

Heidelberg Materials is one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. We are represented in around 50 countries with around 51,000 employees at almost 3,000 locations. At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.

Media Contact:

Christoph Beumelburg
Group Spokesman, Director Group Communication & Investor Relations
+49 6221 481 13249
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SOURCE: Heidelberg Materials