CO₂ Infrastructure: A Cornerstone of Industrial Decarbonisation

Europe’s cement industry stands at a critical juncture. In May 2024, Cement Europe published its updated Net Zero Roadmap, setting out an increased level of ambition for decarbonising the European cement sector, underpinned by significant ongoing investments (see our innovation map).

As a hard-to-abate sector launching large-scale decarbonisation projects, a robust and predictable regulatory framework is indispensable to reach this ambition and ensure that investments can be realised in Europe. The roadmap sets out that Europe’s cement industry aims to store up to 12 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2030 and up to 62 million tonnes per year by 2050. Achieving this will require both strengthened competitiveness and guaranteed access to CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure.

Ensuring open and non-discriminatory access to this infrastructure at fair, transparent and cost-reflective tariffs is essential for cement plants across the EU.

The scale of infrastructure required is already being assessed at national level. A recent study by the German Cement Association (VDZ), “Requirements for a CO₂ Infrastructure in Germany”, estimates that Germany alone will need around 4,800 km of CO₂ pipelines network, requiring an investment of €14 billion. In addition, about 3,000 annual trips by 20 block trains with tank wagons will be needed, costing between €35 and €60 per tonne of CO₂. Maritime transport will also play a crucial role, at least until offshore CO₂ pipelines become available at scale.

The “CO₂ Collection and Transport Network in Austria” study by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) projects a network of 760 km of dense-phase pipelines, 640 km in the gas phase, and an optional 60 km route by rail for the 2040–2050 scenario. The total investment is estimated at €12–18 billion, with average transport costs of €35–50 per tonne of CO₂.

Together, these figures illustrate the scale of Europe’s challenge and the strategic opportunity for Europe. With the right regulatory and infrastructure framework in place, CO₂ transport and storage can become a cornerstone of Europe’s competitive and low-carbon industrial future.

CO₂ Infrastructure: A Cornerstone of Industrial Decarbonisation

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