Debut of World’s First Carbon Captured Net-Zero Cement

Heidelberg Materials has launched the ‘world’s first carbon capture net-zero cement’ in Europe, marking a major breakthrough for the cement industry.

Under its new evoZero brand, the German multinational (formerly known as HeidelbergCement AG) has developed products that are said to achieve net-zero emissions through carbon capture and storage at its factory in Brevik, Norway.

According to Dr Dominik von Achten, Chairman of the Managing Board of Heidelberg Materials, the launch of the products is a paradigm shift in the decarbonisation of the cement industry.

“Carbon capture and storage is a breakthrough technology for the building materials industry, and we are front-runners in deploying it at scale,” von Achten said in a press statement.

“With evoZero, we are offering the industry’s most innovative, globally unique product for our customers, enabling them to drive cutting-edge, environmentally friendly construction projects.”

The evoZero cement will be available in two versions, tailored to customer locations. The evoZero Carbon Captured Brevik variant is sourced from the Brevik CCS plant in Norway, ensuring a net-zero footprint throughout its lifecycle.

For customers in other European countries, the option of evoZero Carbon Captured is available, sourced from nearby plants, while still benefiting from the distinct carbon-saving features pioneered in Brevik.

Both versions promise a net-zero footprint upon delivery.

The products ensure transparency and traceability of their carbon capture attributes by utilising blockchain technology.

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Customers of Heidelberg Materials will receive a verified carbon proof for their evoZero purchase. The carbon capture and emission accounting mechanisms, employing established principles like mass-balancing and book-and-claim, have undergone independent review by a third-party verifier.

Customers will enjoy total flexibility and assured product performance.

Since the carbon capture technology does not change the chemical composition or performance of cement, evoZero encompasses the entire cement portfolio, ranging from the conventional highest strength CEM-I to CEM-III.

Consequently, evoZero is suitable for a wide array of applications.

During the ongoing pre-selling phase, customers are allowed to place orders and reserve initial batches of evoZero for their sustainable building projects.

Brevik CCS is the first large-scale carbon capture facility within a cement plant. Completion of the mechanical aspects of the facility is slated for the end of 2024.

Upon becoming operational, the facility will capture and store 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, accounting for 50% of the plant’s emissions. This reduction is akin to removing approximately 180,000 cars from the roads.

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