Holcim (Deutschland) AG held a ground-breaking ceremony on 22 April for its climate-neutral cement plant in the Steinburg district of Lägerdorf, Germany. The ceremony was attended by around 350 guests, including Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) and Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens).

Holcim will build a second production line next to the existing one in Lägerdorf with oxyfuel-based carbon capture. Output from the carbon capture facility will be used in the nearby Brunsbüttel industrial park, which will be connected to the plant by a new pipeline to transport the CO2.  The project represents an investment of EUR500-600m, of which EUR110m are funded by the EU.

“So far we have had no choice but to emit CO2,” says plant manager Torsten Krohn. Because it is bound in the raw material lime. And without it you simply couldn't produce cement. "But the technology has now advanced to the point where we can completely capture and split off the gas." In order to make the plant fit for the future, it will now be turned inside out during ongoing operations. The new production line is created right next to the old one while it continues to run. “And then hopefully we can continue to produce cement here for the next hundred years,” said the plant manager.

However, the facility in Lägerdorf still needs final approval with the planning process still ongoing, according to NDR. While the new cement plant is not expected be commissioned for at least another four year, Mr Habeck was convinced that the technology will support  the country’s climate neutrality goals. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2029.