Innovation driving climate neutrality and circularity in a cross-sectorial value chain


Did you know that cement production, a key ingredient in concrete, is the source of about 8% of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions? This makes it second in line, after the chemical industry. Fortunately, by teaming up with the energy sector, these two industries can drastically reduce emissions.

Lafarge, OMV, VERBUND and Borealis have launched the ‘Carbon2ProductAustria’ project to create a cross sectorial value chain. The aim is to capture CO2 released by cement production and transform it, using renewable hydrogen, into a feedstock for a variety of renewable based chemicals and value-added plastics products.

Each party has a role to play

Lafarge’s cement plant in Mannersdorf produces approximately 700,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. The aim is to engineer and operate a full-scale carbon capture plant by 2030 that will in the long run capture almost 100% of the emissions. This site will be used to house the infrastructure needed to not only capture the emissions, but to also produce renewable hydrogen. 

The renewable hydrogen is produced when water is electrolysed using electricity from renewable sources. VERBUND, Austria’s largest electricity company, will supply this renewable energy.

The chemical industry will then use this hydrogen in combination with these 700,000 tonnes of captured CO2 in synthetic fuel (OMV) or use it to produce renewable based, value-added plastics (Borealis). These plastics are especially suited for recycling at the end of their lifetime, and with this, enable a nearly closed carbon loop.

Where do we currently stand?

In phase 1, the partners will evaluate and develop a joint strategy for project development, business modelling and process engineering. Based on the results of phase 1, a cluster of industrial pilot plants in the Eastern part of Austria could technically be developed and realised by 2023 in phase 2. Phase 3 entails the completion of the presented vision by scaling up to the full size of 700,000 tons of CO2 being captured and used to demonstrate the global scalability of the project.

CO2 is not just a greenhouse gas that we must reduce. It is also a valuable raw material from which we can produce synthetic fuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry. With this collaboration, Lafarge, OMV, VERBUND and Borealis are showcasing an innovative and viable solution for the movement towards a climate neutral and circular economy in Europe.

Associated SDG targets

SDG 12-ResponsibleConsumptionAndProduction
SDG Goal 13 Climate Action
SDG 17-PartnershipsForTheGoals

SHARE