HeidelbergCement and Bedford, Mass.-based Joule have entered into a partnership designed to explore the application of Joule’s technology to mitigate carbon emissions in cement manufacturing. This initial relationship fits well with Joule’s strategy of turning waste CO2 into liquid fuel. A successful partnership between the two companies could over time result in the co-location of Joule’s Helioculture Technology at one or more HeidelbergCement sites around the world.
Since 1990, HeidelbergCement has worked to decrease its carbon emissions, initiating various programs across the organization that have reduced emissions by 23 percent, the company said. HeidelbergCement’s partnership with Joule represents another example of its sustained dedication to leveraging innovative technologies and programs for climate protection. As part of the agreement, emissions (or offtake gas) from various HeidelbergCement factories could provide Joule with the waste CO2 required to feed its advanced Helioculture platform that effectively recycles CO2 back into fuel.
“We’ve been focused on lowering carbon emissions for more than two decades, and we are excited to take further steps to lower our CO2 emissions by working with a dedicated organization with state-of-the-art technology that is committed to protecting the climate,” stated Jan Theulen, director alternative resources, HeidelbergCement. “Joule’s process, which effectively recycles waste CO2 into liquid fuels, is a perfect match for HeidelbergCement and our core values, and we look forward to starting the journey towards a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.”
Joule’s Helioculture process directly and continuously converts sunlight and waste CO2 into infrastructure-ready fuels, including ethanol and alkanes that serve as highly blendable feedstock for diesel and jet fuel products. Only requiring abundantly available inputs, including sunlight, brackish or sea water and waste CO2, the process is well suited for global deployment. For organizations like HeidelbergCement, Joule turns a carbon challenge into a carbon solution by capturing and recycling waste CO2.
“Carbon emissions are a challenge faced by many industries that are of critical importance to everyday life, such as cement,” said Brian Baynes, CEO of Joule. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with HeidelbergCement in an attempt to develop a modern, ultra-low carbon cement manufacturing process.”
