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Policy Focus
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Policy Focus
Europe’s cement industry stands at a critical juncture. In May 2024, Cement Europe published its updated Net Zero Roadmap, setting out a higher ambition for decarbonising the European cement sector, underpinned by significant ongoing investments (see our interactive map).
As a hard-to-abate sector launching large-scale decarbonisation projects, a robust and predictable regulatory framework is indispensable to reach this ambition. 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, non-discriminatory access to this infrastructure at fair, transparent and cost-reflective tariffs is essential for cement plants across the EU.
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 opportunity. With the right regulatory and infrastructure framework in place, CO₂ transport and storage can become a cornerstone of Europe’s competitive, low-carbon industrial future.
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