Net Zero Pathways: Centre approves setting up of 5 carbon capture and utilisation testbeds

NEW DELHI: In a first of its kind national initiative to combat industrial carbon emissions , the Centre has approved setting up five carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector that will showcase the 'net zero' decarbonisation pathways for industries through the CCU route.

The CCU holds significant importance in hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel, power, oil & natural gas, chemicals & fertilisers in reducing emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial processes and converting it to value added products such as synthetic fuels, urea, soda, ash, chemicals, food grade CO2 or concrete aggregates.

Thrust of the initiative, launched by the science & technology ministry, will be on developing CO2 capture and CO2 utilisation integrated units in an industrial set up through an innovative public private partnership (PPP) funding model.

“The move will go a long way in not only meeting India’s climate action pledges - Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) - under the Paris Agreement but also in achieving the country’s 2070 ‘net zero’ (carbon neutrality) goal,” said an official.

The five testbeds for translational R&D under academia-industry collaboration will be set up by the National Council for Cement and Building Materials, Ballabhgarh, Haryana in partnership with JK Cement; IIT Kanpur with the JSW Cement; IIT Bombay with Dalmia Cement; CSIR-IIP, IIT Tirupati and IISc with the JSW Cement; and IIT Madras and BITS Pilani, Goa with the Ultratech Cement.

Each testbed addresses a different facet of CCU, from cutting-edge catalysis to vacuum-based gas separation.

“Such move will also make these industries future ready ahead of the European Union’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is to be implemented from next year,” said the official.

CBAM is a tool to put a price on carbon intensive goods, like iron & steel, aluminium and cement through imposing border tax. India is, however, opposed to the EU’s move as it will put a tariff burden on such products of developing countries and impact their trade.