Climate-Neutral Growth
Carbon2Business: An Opportunity for the Cement Industry and Other Sectors
Carbon2Business goes beyond being just a climate protection initiative: It transforms the way we produce cement at Holcim Germany. By reimagining our approach to CO₂ emissions, we're forging new value chains, establishing sustainable material cycles, and fostering growth opportunities. Not only for ourselves but also for other sectors.
Today, climate protection is often perceived as a financial burden. However, achieving net-zero emissions demands a paradigm shift where environmental consciousness and business prosperity are intertwined. Only economic viability will secure the investments needed for a successful green transformation of the economy in the long term.
With Carbon2Business, Holcim redefines the role of CO₂. Rather than viewing it as a harmful byproduct to be discarded, we see it as a valuable resource to be harnessed economically.
It's evident: Industries will continue to require large quantities of carbon. Carbon compounds serve as the backbone of organic chemistry, spanning from fuels and lubricants to medicines, plastics, and various specialty chemicals. The food industry, too, depends on substantial CO₂ quantities, not just for carbonation in beverages, but also for food preservation and production processes. Additionally, the transportation sector holds a crucial stake. In future, large quantities of CO₂ will be needed to produce green and blue fuels - for example methanol for shipping. The first major shipping companies have already launched ships adopting this propulsion technology.
Meeting Global CO₂ Demand
According to the EU Commission's considerations for an "Industrial Carbon Management" strategy, the chemical industry alone currently requires around 125 million tonnes of carbon. 90 per cent of demand currently is sourced from fossil fuels. By 2050, global chemical production could double.
For a successful transition away from fossil fuels, we need climate-friendly sources of CO₂ as an alternative. Simultaneously, a significant market opportunity is developing here. Consequently, advancements in near-complete CO₂ capture technologies emerge as forward-thinking innovation. New value chains are being created around CO₂ as a raw material, from which various companies involved benefit.
PwC's Strategy& consultancy envisions the establishment of a "CO₂ ecosystem" as the foundation for a burgeoning market that could reach the size of the current oil market by 2050. While long-term forecasts remain approximations, the global demand for CO₂ is undeniable. And it has to be covered.
