Air Liquide and Cementir Holding Group, through its subsidiary Aalborg Portland, have launched ACCSION, a joint carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative in Aalborg, Denmark. ACCSION aims to establish one of Europe’s first full onshore CCS value chains, targeting the capture of 1.5 million tons of CO₂ annually from the Aalborg Portland cement plant. The project has secured €220 million ($237 million) in funding from the European Union’s Innovation Fund, advancing EU climate goals.
The cement industry is among the most challenging sectors to decarbonise due to the CO₂ emissions released during clinker production, the core component of cement. Air Liquide’s Cryocap™ technology will play a pivotal role, capturing, purifying, and liquefying approximately 95% of the CO₂ emitted by the plant’s cement kilns. The captured CO₂ will then be transported via new pipeline infrastructure for permanent storage. Scheduled for completion by 2029, this project supports Denmark’s 2030 climate targets and the EU’s goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
Emilie Mouren-Renouard, a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee said, “We welcome the support from the European Commission for the ACCSION project, which illustrates Air Liquide’s commitment to accompany its customers to decarbonise their assets, in line with our ADVANCE strategic plan. Building a low-carbon society is a challenge that demands collaboration. Through this partnership, we join forces with Aalborg Portland to develop tangible decarbonisation solutions, contributing to the EU’s climate targets of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.”
Francesco Caltagirone, Chairman and CEO of Cementir Holding said, “This carbon capture project is a crucial milestone in our journey towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050. We welcome the support of the EU Innovation Fund and look forward to working closely with Air Liquide. We are proud not only to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Danish climate targets, but also to create a lasting positive impact on the local community.”
