Air Liquide S.A. (Paris) and Holcim (Zug, Switzerland) reach a new stage in their collaboration with the signing of an agreement to develop a state-of-the-art carbon capture solution for Holcim’s near-zero cement plant at Obourg in Belgium. Air Liquide has been pioneering industry decarbonization by developing carbon capture technologies and solutions enabling CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage). Today, this partnership demonstrates the Group’s ability to innovate and provide efficient solutions at scale, adapted to the needs of its customers.
Under the agreement, Air Liquide will supply the necessary oxygen for Holcim’s oxyfuel-ready clinker production line, as well as provide its innovative and proprietary Cryocap™ OXY technology to enable the capture of CO₂ emissions with high efficiency. The captured CO₂ is then intended to be transported via pipelines to a CO₂ Export Hub, such as Antwerp@C, for subsequent shipment to permanent offshore storage in the North Sea.
This new strategic agreement, which aims to transform the Obourg plant into a leading large-scale near-zero cement production facility is a significant milestone for the project. The Final Investment Decision (FID) remains subject to additional effective partnerships across the value chain, as well as public sector support including for regulation of infrastructure and the provision of derisking mechanisms.
Aiming to capture 1.1 million tons of CO₂ per year, this collaboration is part of GO4ZERO, Holcim’s investment program that will enable the company to achieve carbon neutrality in Belgium by the end of the decade. The initiative would significantly contribute to the European Union 2050 net zero target.
Émilie Mouren-Renouard, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, notably in charge of supervising operations in Europe, stated: “The transition toward a low-carbon industry is a long-term endeavor that requires steady collaboration and public support in its initial phase. For many years, Air Liquide has been committed to decarbonize industrial sectors such as the cement industry, with the development of its visionary and advanced carbon capture technologies. Alongside our partner Holcim, we share the same ambition and this new milestone agreement for the pioneering GO4ZERO project is a powerful signal for Belgium’s industrial decarbonization and energy transition.”