Pioneering Carbon Capture Trial Marks a Milestone for European Flat Glass Industry
In a groundbreaking initiative, C-Capture, specialists in carbon dioxide removal technology, have initiated a carbon capture trial at the Pilkington UK glass manufacturing site in St Helens, UK. This trial represents the first-ever demonstration of carbon capture technology on an industrial flat glass furnace in Europe. Aligned with the national project ‘XLR8 CCS – Accelerating the Deployment of a Low-Cost Carbon Capture Solution for Hard-to-Abate Industries,’ the endeavor aims to showcase the viability of a low-cost carbon capture solution for challenging-to-decarbonize industries, contributing to the race for net-zero emissions.
The trial, focused initially on glass production, is a pivotal component of the XLR8 CCS project, validating C-Capture’s carbon capture technology’s efficacy in removing carbon dioxide from flue gas emissions. Subsequent carbon capture trials are planned for the cement and energy-from-waste industries. With a £1.7 million funding injection from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, the project seeks to accelerate the deployment of next-generation Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage (CCUS) technology in the UK, fostering innovation and sustainability.
Private sector contributions supplement the project with a total investment of £2.7 million. C-Capture’s solvent-based technology will undergo compatibility assessments through five additional carbon capture trials slated for 2024. These trials, conducted at sites owned by project partners Glass Futures, Heidelberg Materials, and Energy Works Hull, in collaboration with consulting and engineering firm Wood, involve the installation and operation of Carbon Capture Solvent Compatibility Units (CCSCUs) designed by C-Capture and Wood.
The success of the XLR8 CCS project positions C-Capture and its partners for the future deployment of commercial-scale carbon capture facilities across the glass, cement, and energy-from-waste industries by 2030. This ambitious endeavor has the potential to capture millions of tonnes of CO2 annually, contributing significantly to the collective goal of mitigating climate change.
Paul Skinner, Global R&D Portfolio Manager at NSG Group, expressed excitement, stating, “To have demonstrated at our Pilkington UK operation that carbon capture is indeed possible is a very exciting development and a key milestone in our decarbonization technology journey, aiming towards our target of carbon-neutral glass manufacture. It’s been great to collaborate with the C-Capture and Glass Futures team in getting to this point, and we look forward to the further valuable learning we will gain from the rest of the XLR8 CCS project.”
Dr. Masimba Toperesu, R&D Projects Lead at Glass Futures, emphasized the significance of this European first for the glass industry, marking a monumental step toward implementing technology that will aid not only the glass sector but also partners in various industries to comprehend and implement CCUS. Through live demonstrations on industrial sites, the project aims to drive the decarbonization of these essential industries.
Source: GlassBalkan
