Industrial Carbon Management (CCUS)

In brief

Industrial carbon management covers the technologies used to capture, transport, use and store CO₂ emissions from industrial and energy production, as well as those that remove CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.

It encompasses three key pathways to reduce emissions:

Carbon capture and geological storage (CCS) – capturing CO₂ and storing it safely underground.
Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) – using captured CO₂ in construction materials, chemicals, or fuels.
Concrete also naturally absorbs and permanently stores CO₂ during its lifetime.
CO₂ removal – directly capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere to achieve net negative emissions.

These pathways are complementary and together form the basis of industrial decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors.

Cement Europe supports the development of an EU Industrial Carbon Management Strategy to accelerate investment and deliver CO₂ savings as soon as possible.

Our View

For the cement industry, industrial carbon management is essential. A significant share of CO₂ emissions — known as process emissions — comes from the calcination of limestone during clinker production and cannot be avoided by conventional decarbonisation measures. This makes carbon capture technologies indispensable for reaching climate neutrality.

A supportive policy framework must therefore enable the following conditions:

Deployment of CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure, connecting emission sources with users and storage sites across Europe.
Access to affordable, zero-carbon electricity, as decarbonising cement will require two to five times more electricity than today, making grid capacity and availability critical.
Public financial support and de-risking mechanisms, particularly in the early stages, to make large-scale investments economically viable

Industrial carbon management is not just a technological challenge; it is a cornerstone of Europe’s industrial and climate strategy, supporting both competitiveness and decarbonisation.

Industrial Carbon Management (CCUS)

Related Publications

CCUS in Focus: Building the Foundations for Large-Scale Deployment

Joint Letter – Clean Industrial Deal and Carbon Capture

Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) should be recognised as a strategic net zero technology in the EU Net Zero Industry Act - Joint letter

A Comprehensive framework for Carbon Capture investments

Joint letter calling for the recognition of Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) as strategic net zero technologies in the EU Net Zero Industry Act

Carbon Capture Deployment Requires a Thorough Debate on CO₂ Utilisation

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