Boral and Calix link for CCUS cement project

Construction materials provider Boral will receive an A$30m government grant to develop the project at its cement and lime facilities in the NSW Southern Highlands, targeting 100,000 tonnes per year of CO2.

CO2 mitigation company Calix is supplying its low emissions intensity lime and cement (LEILAC) technology to the project.

The project will be developed in three phases. The initial feasibility assessment phase will focus on a basis of design (BOD), commercial agreements and assessment including CO2 use options.

Phase two will concentrate on front end engineering and design (FEED) leading to a final investment decision (FID).

Phase 3 will involve detailed engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) leading to commissioning and operation.

Since 2019, Calix’s LEILAC technology has been piloted with leading cement and lime companies in Europe and recently attracted US-based impact investment fund Carbon Direct to invest directly into the LEILAC technology to accelerate global development and deployment.

The project aims to develop CO2 capture capability for Boral’s cement and lime facilities, assess alternative energy sources such as renewable energy and alternative fuels, and to further reduce CO2.

Options for utilisation of the CO2 from the project will also be assessed which, when combined with alternative fuels or renewable energy to power the technology, are targeted to create truly zero emissions lime and cement.

Calix says the project objectives are aligned with the Australian government’s technology roadmap to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and to lower the cost of CCUS to less than A$20/tonne.

This funding will now support Boral and Calix in finalising key commercial terms and commencing design. If the initial feasibility phase, which is expected to take about twelve months, is successful, a full FEED study will follow leading to an FID, followed by an EPC and operational phase.

“This is game changing technology for our industry and will play a critical role in supporting customers’ sustainability targets," said Boral CEO Darren Schulz.

"Together, Boral and Calix have access to the required infrastructure, technology and operational expertise required to deliver this project and lead the way in reducing emissions across the industry.

"By modernising Australia’s cement industry, we are enabling the growth of lower carbon construction materials, which are essential to jobs and local economies.”

Calix MD Phil Hodgson commented: “Calix has been working hard advancing our technology in Europe, but this project represents an acceleration in carbon abatement ambition that has occurred in Australia over a very short timeframe, led by companies such as Boral, and with the support of the Federal Government and the Technology Investment Roadmap and CCUS Technologies Program.

"It is great to be working with an Australian company such as Boral, with an Australian, home-grown technology, in a world-leading project.”