CHINA-CANADA COLLABORATION ON CO2 CAPTURE FOR CEMENT

Amy M. Dean | Cooperative Action Plan, Perspectives

• As the largest cement producer, China accounts for about 55% of global production
• This collaboration agreement is part of a bilateral science and technology cooperation between Canada and China first established in 2013
• Through the carbon capture pilot platform, the CBMA is expected to adapt the application for potential scale-up to commercial demonstration with know-how that could be applied across the sizable fleet of the parent of CBMA: China National Building Materials Ltd. (CNBM)—world’s largest cement producer.

A collaboration and agreement entered into last year between the China Building Materials Academy, (CBMA) and Canadian-based International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre) called the ‘China-Canada Science & Technology Cooperative Action Plan’ will witness simultaneous advancements in understanding and knowledge sharing of carbon capture technology designed specifically to see substantial emission reductions from the global cement industry.

Concrete, a product of cement, is the second most-consumed substance on the planet, next to water, with roughly attributing three tons of concrete yearly by every person on earth (State of the Planet, Earth Institute-Columbia University). Total emissions from the cement industry contribute as much as 7-8% of global CO2 emissions. As the largest cement producer, China accounts for about 55% of global production, followed remotely by India at 8%. Global demand for cement is expected to increase 12-23% by 2050 (IEA Report: Transforming Industry through Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).

This collaboration agreement is part of a bilateral science and technology cooperation between Canada and China first established in 2013 called ‘Canada-China agreement on scientific and technological cooperation’. The agreement syncs with goals of the Chinese government to achieve carbon peaking before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060 with efforts of the cement industry in China to accelerate innovation in low carbon technologies.

COMPLEMENTARY EXPERTISE

China and Canada offer complementary expertise. International cooperation can strengthen relations between the two countries. Through an Action Plan, the Canada-China Joint Committee intends to support joint initiatives that encourage technological commercialisation for the purposes of accelerating economic growth, increase international competitiveness, and solve global challenges.

The first initiative, July 2021:

Carbon Capture Use Piloting with Cement Kiln Project will aid CBMA in applying the Knowledge Centre’s model and Front End Engineering Design (FEED) of a test platform—which has a carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture capacity of approximately 155kg CO₂/per day. The project will be built and piloted on a carbon capture system that utilises the post combustion flue gas from a producing cement kiln.

The Knowledge Centre will have an observer role to learn and gain insight on the characteristics of a cement kiln operation and its integration with a post combustion carbon capture system. The agreement grants the Knowledge Centre access to the operational data, such as further design, testing, data based on the modelling, emission-related information, and any improvements made to the CO₂ capture test platform.

SCALE UP OF COMMERCIALISATION

Through the carbon capture pilot platform, the CBMA is expected to adapt the application for potential scale-up to commercial demonstration with know-how that could be applied across the sizable fleet of the parent of CBMA: China National Building Materials Ltd. (CNBM)—world’s largest cement producer. The Knowledge Centre is currently completing a feasibility study on a full-scaled post-combustion carbon capture system on Lehigh’s Cement plant in Edmonton, Canada by applying the same model based on large-scale CCS experiences from the commercial coal-fired power plant, at the famed Canadian-based Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility.

Quotes:

Conway Nelson, VP Strategy & Stakeholder Relations-International CCS Knowledge Centre-Canada stated, “The International Knowledge Centre is proud to be a partner in assisting the CBMA on its CCS development and deployment journey to help China realize its ambitious goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, which is positive for the world.”

Chairman Zhou Yuxian, Chairman-China Building Materials Group (CNBM)-China said, “The cement industry could only achieve carbon neutrality by carbon capture approaches. Deep GHG emission reduction objectives can only be achieved by adhering to the decarbonisation technology route, by applying CCS technologies to capture the carbon dioxide emissions from various aspects of the production process.”

“The Canada-China agreement on scientific and technological cooperation”, holds the Objective: To establish a framework for cooperation in scientific and technological research, which will extend and strengthen the conduct of cooperative activities in areas of common interest and encourage the application of the results of such cooperation to their economic and social benefit. Areas of Cooperative Activities shall be jointly decided in writing from time to time by the China-Canada Joint Committee (CCJC). China-Canada Science & Technology Cooperative Action Plan: a framework for cooperation in scientific and technological research. The Government of Canada recognizes the role of innovation in stimulating economic growth and supports research and development projects that can lead to job creation and enhanced standards of living for all Canadians. Environment Canada Government Sector will be an active contributor to this agreement. Science, technology, and innovation are fundamental to facilitating economic progress and development, and increasing enterprise capacity.