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The Government of Canada announced that the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISED) is working with Heidelberg Materials to finalize negotiation on a contribution agreement regarding its Edmonton carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) plant. This announcement builds on a 2023 memorandum of understanding between the Government of Canada and Heidelberg Materials to work toward providing up to a total of $275 million for Heidelberg’s demonstration plant, the first of its kind in the cement industry in North America. The government has already entered into a $49 million contribution agreement to support the first phase of this project. “This groundbreaking partnership with Heidelberg Materials takes us one step closer to a net-zero Canada by 2050. By building North America’s first carbon capture system in cement, we’re driving innovation, cutting emissions and securing a sustainable future. This project will create jobs, boost Alberta’s economy and set a new standard for sustainable industry in Canada and beyond,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Once finalized through an agreement for phase 2, this funding of up to $226 million will help support and build North America’s first commercial full-scale CCUS system in the cement sector and a combined heat and power system (CHP) at its Edmonton cement facility. The funding for this project has been set aside by the Strategic Innovation Fund with a view to supporting the project once Heidelberg Materials makes a final investment decision prior to April 30, 2025. “The Government of Alberta is pleased that Heidelberg has chosen Edmonton, Alberta, for the site of the world’s largest commercial carbon capture, utilization and sequestration cement plant. Alberta’s CCUS framework and opportunities are unrivaled, and the Alberta government is pleased to participate with Heidelberg and the Government of Canada to help bring these industry-changing innovations to cement making,” said Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta. This CCUS system, the first of its kind in the cement industry in North America, will enable the company to produce carbon-neutral cement through the capture and compression of carbon dioxide (CO2) for subsequent transportation and permanent storage, reducing GHG emissions by up to one million tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing more than 300,000 passenger vehicles from the road each year. This project would bring significant benefits to the province of Alberta by maintaining over 1,900 full-time jobs and would provide great economic opportunities to local suppliers in Canada. “We are excited to reach this critical milestone in this first-mover project, which began in 2019, and we appreciate the support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton. We look forward to further collaboration with these key stakeholders as we continue making progress toward a net-zero future and working to decarbonize the cement industry,” said Chris Ward, president and CEO, Heidelberg Materials North America. |
