Holcim has secured a European Union Innovation Fund grant for its Carbon Hub CPT 01 carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Campulung, Romania.
This initiative will mark Eastern Europe’s first full-scale onshore CCS project and is set to produce an estimated two million tonnes of near-zero cement annually from 2032.
The project signals a major leap forward in the deployment of innovative, low-carbon technologies in the cement sector, advancing the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and supporting Holcim’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy.
The Campulung CCS initiative will utilise proven technology to capture CO2 emissions directly from the flue gases of cement production, compress the CO2, and transport it for permanent underground storage.
Romania is particularly well-suited for this project thanks to its strong industrial base, favourable geological conditions for CO2 storage, and a supportive policy environment.
Key to the success of this project is Carmeuse, an industrial partner providing expertise essential for building a robust CCS value chain across the region.
Simon Kronenberg, Holcim’s Region Head for Central and East Europe, underscored the strategic significance of the project: “Holcim’s CCS project in Romania will produce an estimated two million tonnes of near-zero cement per annum from 2032, supporting Holcim’s efforts to turn sustainable growth into profitable growth, a key strategic driver of its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy.
“This EU Innovation Fund support testifies to the strength of our engineering teams, the maturity of our technologies and our advanced partnerships that span the value chain.”
This project adds to Holcim’s leadership in carbon capture innovation, as it now boasts eight large-scale EU-supported carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) projects.
These projects are spread across several EU countries, including Germany, Poland, Belgium, France, Croatia, Greece, and Romania.
Holcim’s portfolio of funded projects is currently the largest in the industry within Europe, reflecting the company’s commitment to decarbonising cement production — a sector responsible for a significant share of global CO2 emissions.
Holcim has pledged substantial investment, with plans to allocate over CHF 2 billion (AU$3.7 billion) towards CCUS projects by 2030.
The company is said to be positioned at the forefront of transforming the cement industry, which traditionally faces challenges in reducing carbon emissions due to the energy-intensive chemical processes involved.
By integrating CCS technology into operations, Holcim aims to offer concrete products with drastically reduced carbon footprints, meeting growing regulations and consumer demand for sustainable construction materials.
