Boral has been awarded a $30 million grant from the Australian Government’s Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) Hubs and Technologies Program to support the creation of a carbon capture plant in the Southern Highlands, NSW, in partnership with Calix.
The plant will use Calix’s LEILAC technology to capture and compresses up to 100ktpa of unavoidable CO2 emissions resulting from the decomposition of limestone in cement manufacturing – which is one of the biggest challenges within cement manufacturing.
Unlike a traditional calciner, Calix’s LEILAC technology indirectly heats limestone via a special steel vessel. This process enables CO2 to be captured as it is released from the limestone.
The project will operate in three phases to reduce investment risk. Phase one is to develop a detailed commercial model and pilot design to assess the engineering and commercial viability of the project. This is due to be completed by June 2023.
If successful, Boral will consider further investment into the next phase of the project which involves technical and engineering design. This will include a full front end engineering design (FEED) study, a final investment decision (FID), followed by an engineering, procurement, and construction contact (EPC) and an operational phase.
Options for utilisation of the CO2 from the project will also be assessed. When combined with alternative fuels or renewable energy to power the technology this will work towards creating zero emissions lime and cement production.
“This is game changing technology for our industry and will play a critical role in supporting customers’ sustainability targets,” Boral chief executive Darren Schulz said.
“By modernising Australia’s cement industry, we are enabling the growth of lower carbon construction materials, which are essential to jobs and local economies,” continued Schulz.
“If successful, we believe this project will enable the national rollout of carbon capture technology to Australia’s cement and lime industry creating smarter and more sustainable solutions for our customers.”
For Calix, this “project represents an acceleration in carbon abatement ambition that has occurred in Australia over a very short timeframe,” Calix managing director Phil Hodgson said.
“It is great to be working with an Australian company such as Boral, with an Australian, home-grown technology, in a world-leading project,” he added.