Hydrogen in Cement Industry: Top 10 Projects & Companies

Green Hydrogen Integration in Cement Manufacturing: A Concrete Path to Decarbonization

The cement industry, a vital component of global infrastructure, is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions. But what if the very molecule touted as a clean energy game-changer could help reshape this sector? The integration of green hydrogen – hydrogen produced from renewable sources – offers a promising avenue for decarbonizing cement production. From capturing CO2 to optimizing combustion, the industry is beginning to explore hydrogen’s versatility. Let’s dive into the recent installations and projects leading this transformation.

Installations: Pioneering Hydrogen in Cement

Here’s a look at ten hydrogen projects making waves in the cement industry:

1. Heidelberg Materials’ CCS Project

Company: Heidelberg Materials
Installation Capacity: 1 million tonnes/year of CO2 (capture capacity). A 30 MW electrolyser will be built in the first phase.
Applications: Carbon capture from cement production and green hydrogen production.
Source: Cement producers explore hydrogen to tackle emission – H2 Bulletin

2. CRH Hydrogen Integration

Company: CRH
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Integrating hydrogen technology to improve combustion efficiency and decarbonize cement production.
Source: World Cement – March 2024 by PalladianPublications – Issuu

3. Cemex Hydrogen Injection

Company: Cemex, HiiROC
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Increasing hydrogen injection capacity throughout Cemex’s cement operations.
Source: Deep Dive: HiiROC X Cemex Ventures

4. Ash Grove Cement Hydrogen Fuel Project

Company: Ash Grove Cement
Installation Capacity: Not specified
Applications: Producing hydrogen fuel at the Durkee Plant.
Source: Ash Grove Cement to Pioneer Hydrogen Fuel in Baker County

5. HeidelbergCement Climate-Neutral Fuel Mix

Company: HeidelbergCement
Installation Capacity: Fuel mix was approximately 39% hydrogen.
Applications: Cement production with a climate-neutral fuel mix.
Source: HeidelbergCement produces cement with climate-neutral fuel mix …

6. Enertrag Concrete Chemicals Project

Company: Enertrag
Installation Capacity: 10 MW PEM electrolyser.
Applications: Supplying local industries with green hydrogen for climate-friendly cement production.
Source: Concrete Chemicals – Enertrag

7. Electrolysis for Oxygen Byproduct Use in Cement Production

Company: Not Specified
Installation Capacity: Not Specified
Applications: Using byproduct oxygen from water electrolysis to reduce the cost of carbon capture and storage in cement production.
Source: Decarbonization of cement production in a hydrogen economy

8. Hydrogen Integration for Reduced CO2 Emissions

Company: VDZ (Germany)
Installation Capacity: Integrating up to 10% hydrogen into the fuel mix.
Applications: Reducing CO2 emissions in cement production.
Source: Green Revolution in Concrete Production: Hydrogen’s Role 🏗️

9. Hydrogen-Fueled Clinker Production with CCS

Company: Not specified
Installation Capacity: Production capacity of 1.08 Mtclinker/year.
Applications: Production of clinker using oxy-combustion in a natural gas-fueled plant coupled to CCS.
Source: Carbon-neutral cement: The role of green hydrogen – ScienceDirect

10. Cement Plant Electrolysis Capacity

Company: Not specified.
Installation Capacity: 91–128 kW/ktcement
Applications: The required electrolysis capacity for oxyfuel cement plant
Source: Techno-Economic Assessment of Thermally Integrated Co …

Table: Hydrogen Projects in Cement Industry

Hydrogen’s Multi-Faceted Role: From Fuel to Feedstock

The projects listed showcase the diverse ways hydrogen can be leveraged in cement manufacturing. Beyond simply replacing fossil fuels, hydrogen plays a critical role in carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS). Heidelberg Materials’ CCS project, planning a 30MW electrolyser, exemplifies this, indicating that hydrogen is not just a means of decarbonizing the fuel mix but also an integral component of a broader carbon management strategy. Cemex’s efforts to increase hydrogen injection demonstrate another approach: optimizing the combustion process to reduce CO2 emissions. Similarly, VDZ (Germany) looks at fuel mix with up to 10% hydrogen. This multi-faceted application highlights hydrogen’s potential as a versatile tool in achieving deep decarbonization within the cement industry.

European Forerunners Pave the Way

Geographically, Europe seems to be at the forefront of hydrogen integration in cement production. Companies like Heidelberg Materials (Germany), CRH (Ireland), Enertrag (Germany) and VDZ (Germany) are actively pursuing and deploying hydrogen technologies. This can be attributed to stringent environmental regulations, government incentives promoting green technologies, and a greater public awareness and demand for sustainable construction materials within the region. The European Union’s focus on building a hydrogen economy is undoubtedly a driving factor behind this regional leadership. Ash Grove Cement in the US shows North American interest.

Emerging Tech: Scaling Demonstrations

Based on the installation data, the technology readiness level varies across the projects. While some are focused on demonstration and integration (CRH, Cemex, VDZ), others are already demonstrating operational capabilities, such as HeidelbergCement, with a fuel mix containing nearly 39% hydrogen. The Enertrag project, focused on supplying green hydrogen to local industries, highlights the commercialization of hydrogen production and distribution. The studies on electrolysis capacity and oxy-combustion show a growing research interest. These installations indicate a transition from early-stage research and development toward larger-scale demonstrations and eventual commercial deployment, albeit with varying degrees of maturity.

A Future Forged in Hydrogen: Charting a Decarbonized Course

These installations signal a growing momentum towards integrating green hydrogen into the cement industry. The projects represent a holistic approach to decarbonization, combining hydrogen production, combustion optimization, and carbon capture technologies. We can anticipate further advancements in electrolyser technology, leading to increased efficiency and reduced costs of green hydrogen production. As regulatory pressures intensify and the demand for sustainable construction materials grows, the integration of green hydrogen is poised to become a mainstream practice, reshaping the cement industry’s environmental footprint and paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary ways green hydrogen is being used in cement production?
Green hydrogen is being utilized in several key areas: as a replacement for fossil fuels in the kiln firing process, to enhance carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, and to improve combustion efficiency in general.

Which geographical region appears to be leading in the integration of green hydrogen into cement manufacturing, and why?
Europe seems to be at the forefront of this trend. This is likely due to stricter environmental regulations, government incentives for green technologies, greater public awareness of sustainability, and the European Union’s broader push towards a hydrogen economy.

What is the role of hydrogen in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) projects within the cement industry?
Hydrogen plays a crucial role in CCUS. Electrolysers used to produce green hydrogen also generate oxygen as a byproduct. This oxygen can then be used in oxy-combustion, a process which creates a concentrated stream of CO2 that is more easily captured and stored or utilized.

What is the technology readiness level of hydrogen integration in the cement industry? Is it still in early stages or progressing towards commercialization?
The technology readiness varies across projects. Some are focused on demonstration and integration. Others, like HeidelbergCement’s project with a nearly 39% hydrogen fuel mix, are already demonstrating operational capabilities. Overall, it’s a transition from early-stage research to larger-scale demonstrations and eventual commercial deployment, but with varying degrees of maturity.

What are some of the benefits from green hydrogen integration within the cement industry?
Green hydrogen can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of cement production by replacing fossil fuels, enabling more efficient carbon capture, and potentially reducing the cost associated with carbon capture through the utilization of byproduct oxygen from electrolysis. As a result, this contributes towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for the cement industry.