The German Cement Industry as a CO2 Source for Other Industries

Abstract

Cement production is responsible for about eight percent of global CO2 emissions. A potential use for CO2 is the production of synthetic fuels through power-to-X (PtX) processes. For this purpose, a potential analysis is performed in which the possibilities for CO2 avoidance and CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) in the cement manufacturing process are evaluated. Based on the potential analysis, three scenarios for the development of the German cement industry until 2050 are developed and displayed in geo-referenced form, yielding potential locations for PtX plants. Results show that it is unlikely that cement can be fully replaced by alternative construction methods or new types of binders from today’s perspective. Measures to reduce CO2 emissions in cement production are limited, especially due to the restricted possibilities to replace limestone as feedstock. In an intermediate scenario, CO2 emissions in cement production decrease by 35% until 2050 compared to the average value from the 2014–2018 reference period. For CCU to be introduced at cement plants, the additional costs must be compensated, either through revenues from CO2 certificates or economic and regulatory incentives.