TotalEnergies and Holcim to study solutions for first carbon-free cement plant in Belgium

TotalEnergies and Holcim have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on the full decarbonisation of a cement production facility being upgraded by Holcim in Obourg, Belgium.

Various energies and technologies will be assessed for the efficient capture, utilisation, and sequestration (CCUS) of around 1.3 million metric tons of CO2 emitted by the facility every year, TotalEnergies said in a press statement.

TotalEnergies will assess the development of renewable projects to power a new electrolyzer, which would generate the green hydrogen needed to produce e-fuels. This new renewable energy production capacity would also power Holcim’s new oxyfuel kiln, thus contributing to the decarbonisation of the cement plant. Finally, the oxygen emitted by the electrolyzer would be used to fuel the new kiln.

“The unique, integrated and sustainable solution that we are looking to provide to Holcim for the full decarbonisation of its cement plant emissions – with its range of technologies and new decarbonised molecules – is a first, marking a milestone in the decarbonisation of heavy industry and its hard-to-abate emissions. We are pleased to partner with Holcim to work on the development of sustainable and carbon neutral industries in Europe, in partnership with our clients and in line with their decarbonisation strategy,” said Christophe Sassolas, Senior Vice President, OneB2B Solutions at TotalEnergies.

“Cement industry decarbonisation is extremely challenging because of the process's inevitable CO2 emissions, which put us firmly in the hard-to-abate sector. CCUS is vital for Obourg to become the first net carbon neutral clinker plant in northwest Europe. We are very happy to work with TotalEnergies to accelerate the development of these CCUS solutions for GO4ZERO. By joining the first movers, we want to set the standards for future clinker manufacturing plants,” said Bart Daneels, CEO, Holcim Belgium.