Fabrication of CO2 negative AGGREGAtes based on disruptive accelerated carbonation processes fuelled by carbon capture in refineries

ongoing

The AGGREGACO2 project will design, implement, and validate the first commercial production plant of carbon negative aggregates (manufactured limestone) for the European construction sector. Utilising captured CO2, the project will also be the first in the world to integrate industrial Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT) processes with a refinery scheme through the use of flue gas. The project is expected to sequester 16 times as much CO2 emissions as emitted through a more conventional technology bringing the overall net absolute GHG emissions avoided during the first 10 years of operation to more than 28 000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. AGGREGACO2 proposes a first-of-a-kind innovation through the introduction of CO2 captured from refinery processes (Steam Methane Reformer). The project will use an O.C.O patented ACT process to valorize thermal residues, such as Air Pollution Control residues (APCr), from Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities. APCr would normally require disposal at specialist landfill facilities while using CO2 as a resource to treat the APCr ensures diversion from landfill and enables the creation of a carbon negative aggregates. The jointly-owned facility will have the capacity to valorize 22 000 tonnes of APCr a year, generating around 56 000 tonnes of carbon negative aggregate annually. The project will demonstrate the industrial feasibility and cost-effectiveness of carbon negative aggregates, as well as showing that it can compete face-to-face in the market, while reducing refineries’ GHG emissions and the carbon footprint of the fuels and APCr landfill disposal. AGGREGACO2 envisages cooperation between refineries, raw material suppliers (quarries and incineration plants) and several active off-takers in the region, demonstrating significant economic benefits to the regional economy. The project has the potential for further expansion to other sites, at national and international level. Furthermore, the project technology could be transferred to the cement and ceramic sectors.