New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Cement-sector carbon capture moves towards industrial deployment as infrastructure pressures grow
1/6/2026
News
An accelerated carbonation plant at the Port of Bilbao in northern Spain that is designed to capture up to 6,000 tonnes of CO2 annually and permanently mineralise it within construction aggregates used by the building sector has opened.
The facility is expected to process up to 50,000 t/y of industrial residue while producing 125,000 tonnes of aggregate annually for use in infrastructure and construction projects.
The plant was developed by UK-Spanish joint venture Biscay Eco Aggregates in partnership with Northern Ireland-based O.C.O Technology, which has previously deployed accelerated carbonation systems in the UK. The companies describe the project as the first full-scale deployment of the technology in continental Europe.
The process uses industrial waste materials, including fly ash from waste incineration, together with captured CO2, to produce construction aggregates. Under controlled conditions, the CO2 reacts with the waste material to form the stable mineral calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The technology is attracting growing attention across the construction materials sector as producers explore ways to reduce emissions linked to cement, aggregates and infrastructure development while also reusing industrial waste streams.
The growing focus on industrial carbon capture comes as UK industry groups warn that cement-sector emissions are becoming a growing constraint on future infrastructure delivery.
Recent analysis from the Mineral Products Association (MPA) reportedly suggests carbon-capture infrastructure could become increasingly important if the UK is to maintain domestic cement production while meeting future carbon budgets.
The MPA has argued that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is expected to deliver a substantial proportion of the emissions reductions required under the cement sector’s net zero pathway. Industry groups have also warned that delays to carbon-management infrastructure could increase reliance on imported cement and construction materials, potentially shifting emissions overseas rather than reducing them.
Industry groups increasingly argue that delays to carbon-capture infrastructure could affect future housing, transport, energy and industrial projects as emissions limits tighten.
The cement sector faces particular pressure because a significant proportion of emissions generated during cement manufacturing come from the cement (clinker) production process itself, making them difficult to eliminate through electrification and energy-efficiency measures alone.
As a result, producers are increasingly exploring a combination of carbon capture, alternative fuels, clinker substitution and material innovation as part of broader decarbonisation strategies.
