Heidelberg Cement & FLSmidth reach key stage in delivering the world's first cement carbon capture installation

HeidelbergCement's collaboration with FLSmidth has reached a key stage in delivering a first-of-its-kind carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at Norcem Brevik in Norway.
Quarry Products / April 22, 2021
By Guy Woodford
HeidelbergCement's collaboration with FLSmidth is successfully delivering a landmark CCS project at Norcem Brevik

In February 2021, HeidelbergCement signed an agreement for FLSmidth to deliver the necessary plant modifications allowing for downstream CO₂ removal. Final commissioning is scheduled for the first half of 2024.

Carbon capture is considered to be one of the key technologies in solving the CO₂ emission challenges in hard-to-abate sectors, like cement. Emitting approximately 7% of the world’s carbon emissions, the cement industry is attacking the challenge from all possible angles.

Heidelberg Cement’s Norcem Brevik plant is now preparing to become the first cement making site in the world to move from test into full-scale production after years of preparation together with FLSmidth and other technology providers.

The capturing process at the Norcem Brevik plant will use a mixture of water and organic solvents to remove the CO₂. But before CO₂ can be removed, the production process must be adjusted, and particles in the flue gas removed. FLSmidth has the plant knowledge and the necessary expertise in air pollution control for this rebuild of the plant.

“We are very excited to have FLSmidth on board and to finally begin the construction of the full-size installation,” says Tor Gautestad, project manager at Norcem. “FLSmidth’s extensive process knowledge, and air pollution control, in particular, will be critical to the success of the project,” Mr Gautestad adds.

“Having installed more than 4,000 filters around the world, I can say that ‘Brevik CCS’ is no ordinary project. We are looking forward to working with Norcem on unleashing the potential of the project,” says Carsten Riisberg Lund, Cement Industry President, FLSmidth.

The agreement between Heidelberg and FLSmidth is effective, and work on-site will start during the winter shutdown in 2022 and is scheduled to end in early 2024.   

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