In December 2025, the European cement industry took significant steps toward decarbonisation. Two major initiatives in the UK and Bulgaria show that carbon capture and storage (CCUS) technologies are moving from pilot projects to industrial application. This directly impacts the use of strategic materials — GBFS and ACS, which remain essential for low‑carbon cement production.
In the UK, Cool Planet Technologies completed testing of its third‑generation membrane module for CO₂ capture. The system demonstrated the ability to capture up to 37,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year with a recovery rate of 95%. The next stage will be a year‑long demonstration project at the Holcim Höver plant in Germany. This development is strategically important: cement producers gain a tool to reduce emissions, enabling broader integration of GBFS and ACS into production as clinker substitutes.
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In Bulgaria, Heidelberg Materials signed an agreement with Greek company EnEarth for the transport and storage of CO₂ from its Devnya cement plant. The project aims to capture and store 0.8 million tonnes of CO₂ annually and is part of the ANRAV initiative, the first complete CCUS chain in Eastern Europe. Supported by €190 million in EU funding, the project is expected to be operational by the end of the decade. For the region, this is a breakthrough: Bulgaria becomes part of the European decarbonisation network, while cement plants gain the ability to integrate secondary materials, including GBFS, without exceeding carbon quotas.
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Conclusion
The European cement industry is clearly moving toward CCUS as a practical solution. The adoption of these technologies is directly linked to the wider use of GBFS and ACS, which not only reduce the carbon footprint but also ensure production stability under tightening environmental regulations.