Transforming CO₂ into added-value construction products

Carbon4Minerals is a research project that develops innovative technologies for CO₂ capture and uses in carbon-negative construction products, reducing CO₂-emissions by 80-135% compared to cement-based reference materials.

This project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101091870. Visit the CORDIS website for more information.

The project started in January 2023 and will end in December 2026.

CONCEPT

We aim to utilise CO₂ from industrial flue gases for the production of a wide range of low-carbon building material intermediates and construction end-products. Additional CO₂-emission reductions are obtained by replacing CO₂-intensive Portland clinker and using secondary raw materials (steel slags, construction waste).

CURRENT SITUATION

The European Green Deal targets (40% GHG emission reduction by 2030, climate neutrality by 2050) are a major challenge for the energy-intensive process industry. While renewable energy can alleviate a significant part of GHG emissions, it offers no solution for process-inherent emissions. The cement industry (responsible for 6-8% of global GHG emissions) is looking for alternative materials to replace Portland clinker, to reduce the enormous amounts of CO₂ emitted during the calcination of limestone. This need is particularly dire in view of the steel industry’s transition to H2-based DRI-EAF, thereby phasing out blast furnace slag as cement replacement. Capture can assist in the abatement of CO₂ emissions, but is costly.

The first climate-neutral continent by 2050

At least 55% less net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels

3 billion additional trees to be planted in the EU by 2030

GOALS

A total of 8 industrial pilots will be built and operated across the process value chain from CO₂ capture to cement production and low-carbon construction products.

Technical, environmental, and economic feasibility will be validated by an integrated assessment and the development of a service life test package tailored to these new products.

Co-learning modules are developed to support industrial implementation and market introduction. A consortium of technology providers, producers and research partners will develop, test, and demonstrate the processes.