The European Union has set itself the ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve this transition, especially in sectors that require significant reductions in emissions, it supports and finances a programme Horizon Europe the field of so-called industrial carbon management (ICM – Industrial Carbon Management). This is a comprehensive set of technologies that mitigate CO2 emissions from industrial processes and prevent them from entering the atmosphere. We refer to them comprehensively as CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) technologies, i.e. carbon capture, use and permanent storage. They include capturing CO2 directly from sources (such as power plants or heavy industry), subsequently using the carbon to produce fuels or materials, and geologically storing it in depleted deposits.

In terms of legislation and strategies, these efforts are anchored, for example, in the Net-Zero Industry Act, which sets the EU target of building an annual storage capacity of 50 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030. By 2040, Europe plans to increase annual capture capacity to 280 million tonnes. In addition, the development of these technologies will require the creation of new cross-border infrastructure for the transport of CO2, in which it is estimated that up to €12.2 billion will need to be invested by the end of this decade.

Making CO2 capture more efficient and cheaper One of the key steps for the competitiveness of these technologies is to reduce the cost of capture. Innovative project AURORA is testing a new solvent technology called CESAR1 for various stacks in high-emission industries (refining, cement production and recycling). This multi-component solvent promises to reduce carbon capture costs by 47 % compared to the previous industry standard, with capture rates of up to 98 %.

Another important technological direction is the calcium cycle (Calcium Looping). Research project Calby2030 demonstrates CO2 capture rates of more than 99% for the cement, steel and waste-to-energy sectors in test plants in Spain, Germany and Sweden. The amazing advantage of this method is that it releases heat of up to 650°C during the chemical process, which can be captured and recycled to provide energy for other parts of the industrial operation. The technology also supports the circular economy, as the calcium waste from the process can be reused in cement kilns as a replacement for virgin limestone.

CO2 utilization: Building materials with a negative carbon footprint.

Waste can serve as raw material. Project Carbon4Minerals shows how to combine captured CO2 with common industrial waste, such as steel slag or construction and demolition waste. Using a process known as mineral carbonation, the CO2 and waste materials combine to form stable carbonates and silica. These substances can be used to make high-value building products – such as bricks, paving stones, facade panels or cement substitutes.

The resulting building materials help decarbonize an otherwise very problematic construction sector. They reduce carbon emissions by 80 to 135 % compared to standard reference materials. This means that the products can even permanently store more CO2 directly in their structure than was produced to produce them, making them carbon negative.

Permanent storage and overcoming geopolitical borders

A crucial step is to safely store the carbon in a location where it will not escape into the atmosphere. The project aims to secure the critical storage infrastructure. Eastern Lights. It is investigating the possibilities of safely storing CO2 in deep geological formations – in saline aquifers on land in northwestern Bulgaria. The aim is, among other things, to test a smart well for the successful injection of 10,000 tons of liquid CO2 collected from emitters in Turkey. The project is also unique in its integration of a geothermal component: the stored CO2 could act as a working fluid for the production of renewable electricity for local communities.

Challenges associated with social acceptance

Despite the fantastic technological promise, there are obstacles. The most significant problem in deploying CO2 storage and capture systems is their social acceptance. Building new local infrastructure often encounters resistance from the population due to fears of potential safety risks associated with possible gas leaks or environmental impacts.

To achieve the EU's climate goals and deploy the technology, it is necessary to dispel the historical distrust of citizens towards large industrial buildings. The only way is through transparent, evidence-based communication and clear demonstration of local, safe storage solutions. Only active engagement with the public and demonstrable innovation will allow us to fully realize the potential of CCUS technologies and transform our heavy industry into a pillar of clean and sustainable growth. JRi&CO2AI