Nuada Launches Pilot Plant for Carbon Capture Technology at Buzzi Unicem Cement Facility in Italy
Nuada, a UK-based carbon capture technology provider, has initiated operations of a pilot plant at Buzzi Unicem’s cement facility in Italy to test advanced carbon capture technology targeting CO2 emissions reduction in the cement industry.
Nuada, a UK-based carbon capture technology provider, has commenced operations of its pilot plant at Buzzi Unicem’s cement facility in Monselice, Italy. The project, inaugurated on June 25, 2024, is a key step in testing Nuada’s advanced carbon capture technology aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in the cement industry.
The pilot plant utilizes Nuada’s energy-efficient technology that combines Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with a vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) process. This method electrically separates CO2 from industrial flue gases using pressure rather than heat, offering a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution compared to traditional carbon capture techniques. The fully operational plant is capable of capturing 1 tonne of CO2 daily from cement flue gas.
Supported by the Global Concrete and Cement Association (GCCA) through its Innovandi Open Challenge programme, the initiative seeks to decarbonize the cement sector, which currently accounts for 7% of global CO2 emissions. Buzzi Unicem, known for its focus on technological advancements, anticipates that this innovative approach will significantly contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Dr. Conor Hamill and Dr. Jose Casaban, co-CEOs of Nuada, highlighted the importance of this pilot project in demonstrating the scalability and efficiency of MOF-based VPSA carbon capture technology. Luigi Buzzi, CTO at Buzzi Unicem, expressed optimism about the pilot’s potential in advancing the cement industry’s decarbonization efforts.