On 14 October, more than 80 stakeholders from across the carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain gathered for the third ACCSESS Open Event to discuss key enablers for decarbonising hard-to-abate industries, particularly the cement sector. One of the central themes of the event was the role of CO₂ infrastructure in supporting the deployment of CCS technologies. In a dedicated round-table discussion, experts and project representatives shared experiences, ongoing challenges, and possible solutions related to CO₂ conditioning, transport, and storage.
Read more: How can we decarbonise cement production?
The conversation highlighted the importance of CO₂ infrastructure as a cornerstone of cement industry decarbonisation. A key concern raised was the lack of standardised procedures for handling CO₂ across different projects. Due to significant variation in flue gas composition and site-specific conditions, a case-by-case approach is often required. This variability complicates both data collection and coordination with transport and storage operators.
Transport infrastructure emerged as a major barrier. Multi-modal CO₂ transport, using a combination of road, rail, and ship, is often necessary, especially for plants located far from coastal storage hubs in short term. This increases both the cost and complexity of implementation. Offshore storage options, while viable, are typically more expensive than onshore alternatives. However, onshore storage solutions are not yet fully supported by legal and regulatory frameworks in many regions. Long-term, pipeline infrastructure is viewed as essential to enabling large-scale CO₂ transport, but such networks are still in early planning or development stages.
The regulatory environment, although improving, is not yet sufficient to support timely final investment decisions (FIDs). Participants pointed to delays caused by unclear permitting processes, undefined responsibilities, and a lack of legislation governing CO₂ storage—particularly for onshore sites. As a result, some projects have had to extend their timelines significantly. Financial mechanisms such as Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs) were welcomed as helpful tools, but not enough on their own to fully de-risk projects and attract private investment.
The discussion also underscored the importance of collaboration across the entire CO₂ value chain. Clustering of projects—both geographically and logistically—was identified as a strategy to enhance efficiency, share infrastructure, and reduce costs. A collaborative approach is particularly important for regions with smaller capture volumes or limited access to existing CO₂ networks.
Encouragingly, market demand for low-carbon cement is growing, particularly from the public sector. This momentum needs to be matched by stronger engagement from the private sector to ensure the long-term viability of climate-neutral construction materials. Building a robust market for green cement is seen as a key driver for accelerating CCS deployment in the industry.
In conclusion, the round-table discussion at the third ACCSESS Open Event made it clear that scaling up CO₂ infrastructure, supported by the right regulatory, financial, and technical frameworks, is essential for enabling carbon capture in the cement sector. With increased collaboration, clear policy signals, and targeted investment, the industry can overcome current challenges and take concrete steps toward full decarbonisation.