CEMEX awarded grant from U.S. Department of Energy to develop pioneering carbon capture technology
CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (“CEMEX”) (NYSE: CX) announced today that its U.S. operations have been awarded a grant from the United States Department of Energy (“DOE”) to research, engineer and develop a pilot for a breakthrough carbon capture unit. The project, anchored to CEMEX’s Victorville, California cement plant, will also contemplate cost-competitive solutions to completely close the loop on current carbon emissions.
In this initiative led by RTI international (“RTI”), a nonprofit research institute, CEMEX is joining forces with UK-based Carbon Clean and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (“ORNL”). The goal of the consortium is to increase efficiencies and value in CEMEX’s overall building material fabrication process, while significantly reducing its CO2 footprint through the leverage of technological upgrades. The specific objectives of this project also include the development, optimization and scaleup of specific CO2 capture process components, as well as incorporation of next-generation non-aqueous solvents. Integration aspects of the low-cost, modular, process intensification capture technology with CEMEX’s cement plant are also planned to be covered, together with subsequent cost evaluations and technical considerations for the transformation of captured CO2 into new marketable products.
“CEMEX is committed to being part of the solution to reduce carbon emissions globally and to deliver net-zero CO2 concrete to all of our customers by 2050,” said CEMEX USA President Jaime Muguiro. “We cannot achieve these without innovative technology and collaborative relationships with both public and private organizations who share a commitment to climate action. This grant gives us an excellent opportunity to further develop a new technology to help us all reach our goals.”
“With CEMEX being a project partner and technology stakeholder, the design and integration of the capture system with its cement plant, and subsequent use of the CO2 at its concrete plants are set to align with the industry’s needs”, said Paul Mobley, Research Chemical Engineer at RTI. “The development of this highly disruptive CO2 capture technology could accelerate industry adoption and thereby significantly reduce industrial emissions.”
“Oak Ridge National Laboratory is dedicated to translating science into industry solutions for addressing some of the most critical problems facing our nation,” said Xin Sun, interim associate laboratory director for energy science and technology at ORNL. “We look forward to applying our advanced manufacturing expertise to this project in support of a clean, efficient, flexible and secure energy future.”
Aniruddha Sharma, CEO of Carbon Clean, said: “CEMEX shares our mission to enable the net zero transition by developing affordable modularized carbon capture solutions. This latest grant from the US Government endorses the importance of such work. We are looking forward to delivering this breakthrough project with CEMEX further strengthening our relationship and helping to decarbonize the cement industry.”
CEMEX announced in 2020 its Climate Action strategy, defining a global target of a 35% reduction of CO2 emissions per ton of cementitious products by 2030. To complement this strategy with a longer-term vision, CEMEX also established an ambition to deliver net-zero CO2 concrete to all its customers globally by 2050.
CEMEX is successfully introducing Vertua®, its low carbon and net-zero CO2 products, in the countries where it has a presence. Vertua® is the result of the work done by the CEMEX’s Research and Development Center in Switzerland, and it´s a milestone towards carbon-neutral construction becoming a reality.
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About Carbon Clean
Carbon Clean is a global leader in low-cost CO2 capture technology. The company’s patented technology significantly reduces the costs and environmental impacts of CO2 separation, when compared to existing techniques.
The technology has been proven at scale in over 10 locations, including the UK, USA, Germany, India, Norway, and the Netherlands. It is currently in use at the world’s largest industrial-scale carbon capture and utilization plant in Tuticorin, India. The UK Government has supported Carbon Clean’s development of its technology through competitive grants.
The company was awarded a ‘Technology Pioneer’ award by the World Economic Forum and most recently selected as one of CEMEX Ventures Top50 ConTech startups and named a 2021 Global Cleantech 100 company. Carbon Clean is headquartered in London, UK and also operates offices in India and the United States. For information about Carbon Clean: https://www.carbonclean.com/
About RTI International
RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach — one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities and businesses around the world. For more information, visit https://www.rti.org/
About CEMEX
CEMEX is a global building materials company that provides high-quality products and reliable services. CEMEX has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future.
For CEMEX media enquiries please contact Sarah Murphy: sarah.murphy@cemex.com or call 07557 319972