Towards a business case for CO2 mineralisation in the cement industry

The cement industry, an industry characterised by low margins, is responsible for approximately 7% of anthropogenic CO 2 equivalent (CO 2e ) emissions and holds the highest carbon intensity of any industry per unit of revenue. To encourage complete decarbonisation of the cement industry, strategies must be found in which CO 2e emission reductions are incentivised. Here we show through integrated techno-economic modelling that CO 2 mineralisation of silicate minerals, aiming to store CO 2 in solid form, results in CO 2e emission reductions of 8–33% while generating additional profit of up to €32 per tonne of cement. To create positive CO 2 mineralisation business cases two conditions are paramount: the resulting products must be used as a supplementary material in cement blends in the construction industry (e.g., for bridges or buildings) and the storage of CO 2 in minerals must be eligible for emission certificates or similar. Additionally, mineral transport and composition of the product are decisive.