Heidelberg Materials has paused its GeZero carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at Geseke, Germany, citing uncertainty over CO2 transport and storage infrastructure and the absence of a viable business case under current conditions.
Announcing the decision on 22 October, the company said the relevant value chains were insufficiently developed to ensure infrastructure would be available on time and at an acceptable level of economic risk. It will review and optimise the project’s configuration.
The decision has no direct impact on cement production at Geseke. GeZero had been designed to capture approximately 700,000t of CO2 annually from 2029 using advanced oxyfuel technology.
Heidelberg Materials called for a government-backed mechanism to reduce risks for early CCS investors, whose projects depend on transport and storage services provided by other companies. It also argued that onshore CO2 storage could lower costs and improve project economics, particularly for inland plants.
The group said it would prioritise CCUS projects where conditions support a successful business case. It reaffirmed its commitment to developing a flagship CCS project in Germany, alongside its operating facility at Brevik, Norway, and the Padeswood project under construction in the UK.
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