As part of a 26 member consortium consisting of representatives of research organizations and centers, academia, a technology provider, technology end users and an environmental organization, the Buzzi Unicem Vernasca Plant is hosting a pilot‑scale project of carbon capture technology. The objective of Project CLEANKER (CLEAN clinKER) is to demonstrate the efficacy of a calcium looping system in capturing CO2 from the cement manufacturing process.

The project

The CLEANKER project was developed with the aim of building a pilot system that would capture CO₂ using Calcium Looping technology. The purpose of the research is to verify the possibility of "capturing" the carbon dioxide generated during the cement production cycle, so as to prevent it from being released into the atmosphere and thus pursuing the ultimate goal of contributing to the reduction of the greenhouse effect. The captured CO₂ can then be made available for reuse in other industrial sectors, such as synthesis processes or green fuel production, or sequestered permanently underground.

The capturing of CO₂, combined with its subsequent reuse or storage, is a key process in the European Union's greenhouse gas containment strategies. CLEANKER potentially represents an important innovation for the cement sector and for environmental protection. It can also significantly enhance the cement industry's know-how in CO₂ capture technologies. Part of the company's ongoing investments in research and development include dealing with the green transition and the associated fight against climate change.

The CLEANKER Project has completed the third year of efforts and recently released a technical report on the accomplishments, including completion of preparation to initiate the experimental phase over the next six months. Construction of the pilot system was completed in the fall of 2020 and inaugurated in Vernasca (PC) in October 2020, making it possible for this technology to be tested on an industrial scale. During the following months the system was tested, and other preliminary operations were carried out in order to ensure smooth operation of the system during the experimental phase.

More on the Project, including access to the full report, can be found at www.cleanker.eu/the-project/project-contents  For more information on project participation by Buzzi Unicem please visit Climate Change - Buzzi Unicem.