In Höver, Holcim Germany is turning climate-damaging CO₂ into industrial opportunities
At our cement plant in Höver, Lower Saxony, we are driving the decarbonization of cement production. Höver is set to become one of the first industrial sites in Germany capable of capturing CO₂ on a significant scale – utilising the world’s largest CO₂ membrane separation plant. In doing so, we are making a clear statement regarding the preservation of Germany as a competitive industrial hub.
The world urgently needs new solutions to make cement – an indispensable building material – fit for the future. We can already reduce the carbon footprint of our cements and concretes by more than 50 percent today. We are achieving this through a range of initiatives: by switching to lower-carbon energy sources throughout our entire value chain, by utilizing alternative raw materials and fuels, and through our deep expertise in developing formulations that drive the decarbonization cement and concrete.
However, roughly two-thirds of the emissions in the cement industry are process-related and cannot be avoided, even by switching to renewable energy sources. They are therefore regarded as unavoidable.
To achieve our goal of climate neutrality by 2045, Holcim Germany is committed to innovative capture technologies to mitigate those remaining, unavoidable emissions. This is precisely what we are working on with our innovation project Carbon2Business. As a first mover in the field, we are resolutely driving the decarbonisation of our cement production, thereby sending a clear signal for the preservation of Germany as an industrial hub.
European technology driving affordable decarbonisation
At our cement plant in Höver, Carbon2Business initiative follows a clear roadmap towards the complete decarbonisation of the site. We are leveraging cutting-edge European technology, utilizing a membrane separation process that highly innovative within the cement sector, despite already being well-established in other industries. This process is considered to be one of the most energy-efficient methods of capturing CO₂. As the technology is deployed as an end-of-pipe solution and is modularly scalable, it paves the way for the rapid and cost-effective decarbonisation of existing industrial plants.
Following successful small-scale trials, we are now significantly scaling up the membrane process in Höver. The current stage of expansion is designed to capture up to 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. Our long-term objective is for the facility to capture approximately 90 per cent of the plant’s CO₂ emissions and provide them as high-purity raw material for other industries.
This can, for instance, be utilised in the chemical industry to produce building materials, fuels or food products. In these sectors, fossil-based raw materials such as oil or natural gas remain indispensable, which is why captured CO₂ can help to replace fossil-based feedstocks.
The cement plant is located in Höver, a district of the town of Sehnde situated to the south-east of Hanover. The site employs around 200 staff and trainees.
Höver is one of three Holcim Germany cement plant sites currently implementing ambitious Carbon2Business projects to decarbonise cement production.
A prime example of strong technology partnerships
The highly energy-efficient and easily scalable solution in Höver is the result of strong partnerships. Holcim Germany relies on European engineering excellence and is collaborating closely with its technology partners, Cool Planet Technologies (CPT) and the Helmholtz Centre Hereon.
Therefore, Höver is a prime example of European value creation: secure, proven, and technologically leading.
„The transition from the pilot phase to full-scale implementation is the result of exceptional teamwork and strong partnerships. The fact that this project is being supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy underscores the significant political importance of our work in decarbonising Germany’s industrial landscape.“
