Heidelberg and Arup unite on cement decarbonisation

Heidelberg Materials has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global consultancy Arup to accelerate the decarbonisation of cement and concrete through carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

The agreement will see the two companies combine expertise to explore the deployment of CCS-enabled production and supply of cement and concrete—materials that remain among the most carbon-intensive in the construction sector. The partnership builds on earlier joint work initiated in late 2024 and aims to scale up efforts to cut emissions from hard-to-abate industrial processes.

From next month, Heidelberg Materials' Brevik plant in Norway will become the world’s first operational CCS facility at scale within the cement industry. The plant will enable production of evoZero®, the first commercially available cement and concrete products made using carbon capture technology.

“Decarbonising our industry is an urgent and monumental task and can only be achieved in close collaboration between the most important players,” said Dr Katharina Beumelburg, chief sustainability and new technologies officer at Heidelberg Materials. “Our know-how and pioneering role in CCUS, combined with Arup's techno-economic and strategic expertise… create a perfect fit.”

The MoU formalises joint research activities and technical analysis to better understand the role of CCS in decarbonising the built environment. Both companies emphasised that CCS can reduce emissions without altering the physical properties of cement and concrete, allowing for integration into existing construction practices.

Dame Jo da Silva, chief sustainable development officer at Arup, added: “Carbon capture and storage technologies will play an important role in reducing emissions from hard-to-abate industries, including cement and concrete. Heidelberg Materials’ first-mover investment… is a notable step forward.”

The partnership is seen as a key move in aligning industrial decarbonisation efforts with wider climate goals in the built environment sector.