SCHWENK Takes a Step Toward Cement Decarbonization with CapsolGo® Demo
Capsol Technologies has successfully launched its first of two CapsolGo® demonstration campaigns at the Akmenės cement plant in Lithuania, marking a significant milestone in the effort to decarbonize the cement industry. This demonstration is part of a larger collaboration with SCHWENK, a European leader in building materials, to evaluate and scale up carbon capture solutions at cement production facilities.
The CapsolGo® campaign at Akmenės cement plant will provide valuable data to evaluate the effectiveness of Capsol’s End-of-Pipe capture technology, which is designed to capture CO2 emissions directly from cement kilns. This project is a crucial step towards meeting the growing decarbonization targets within the cement industry and advancing sustainability goals. “This carbon capture campaign marks a significant step in our journey towards decarbonization, enabling us to evaluate an innovative solution that contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future,” said Arturas Zaremba, CEO of Akmenės Cementas. SCHWENK, with its commitment to sustainability and decarbonization, is testing Capsol’s technology at two of its plants, with the combined potential to capture up to 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually. This initiative aims to provide SCHWENK with crucial data to reduce emissions across its cement plants, aligning with the company’s long-term sustainability strategy. Following its operations at the Akmenės plant, the CapsolGo® unit will be moved to SCHWENK’s Brocēni cement plant in Latvia, where a feasibility study was previously conducted. This transition will help further assess the scalability of the technology and inform decisions regarding its widespread implementation across the company’s facilities.
CCS: A Key Solution for Cement Decarbonization
The cement industry, which accounts for roughly 7 percent of global CO2 emissions, faces a critical challenge in reducing its carbon footprint. The traditional cement production process releases CO2 during the calcination of limestone. Therefore, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies have become integral to achieving significant decarbonization in the sector. Increasing regulatory incentives, such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), introduced in October 2023, are accelerating the demand for carbon capture solutions. Under CBAM, cement importers must report emissions starting in 2026, creating financial incentives to adopt carbon-reducing technologies. Capsol Technologies, with a growing project pipeline that is expected to capture 8 million tons of CO2 annually by the end of 2024, is emerging as a key player in the decarbonization of the cement sector. The company’s CapsolEoP® technology, which is optimized for higher CO2 concentrations, stands out due to its lower energy consumption and cost-effectiveness. Notably, it eliminates the need for external steam supply, further reducing costs and enhancing scalability.
CapsolGo® Demonstration Units: Paving the Way for Full-Scale Implementation
CapsolGo® demonstration campaigns are designed to offer emitters site-specific data on carbon capture using the company’s Hot Potassium Carbonate (HPC)-based process. This process is widely used in over 750 plants globally, employing potassium carbonate as a CO2 solvent. The demonstration campaigns, available on a rental basis, last for six months and include all services related to transportation, installation, operation, and testing. By leveraging Capsol’s HPC-based process and its patented energy recirculation method, which allows for low capture costs and flexibility in monetizing heat and electricity, cement producers can make more informed decisions about implementing large-scale carbon capture solutions.
