30-11-2022

Sulzer and Blue Planet to accelerate decarbonization of the concrete and construction sector

Sulzer Chemtech is strengthening its collaboration with Blue Planet to continue developing their highly innovative carbon capture and storage (CCUS) technology. The two companies are working together to commercialize a ground-breaking mineralization process that permanently sequesters carbon emissions captured from emissions-heavy industries in aggregate form, which can then be used to offset the CO2 footprint of cement, producing carbon-negative concrete. The new strategic agreement builds on Sulzer Chemtech’s and Blue Planet’s technical collaboration, launched in 2021, and includes investment from Sulzer in Blue Planet’s latest funding round.

The new strategic agreement follows the announcement of a technical collaboration between the two companies in 2021. This involved the use of Sulzer Chemtech’s innovative separation technology to support the development of an efficient and effective carbon capture unit to enable Blue Planet’s geomimetic® process for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

Blue Planet’s technology combines carbon dioxide captured from emissions from heavy industries in solution with metal ions obtained from concrete or other industrial wastes, to obtain carbonate minerals and form synthetic limestone aggregate. The limestone aggregate can then be combined with cement to produce high-quality, sustainable concrete. More precisely, Blue Planet’s technology permanently locks up to 440 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) in every tonne of aggregate produced. As a result, it is possible to completely offset the CO2 footprint of cement and produce carbon negative concrete.

Dr. Brent Constantz, Blue Planet’s Founder and CEO, comments: “Sulzer Chemtech has been a solid partner in our joint development, working both in their R&D facility in Winterthur, Switzerland, and at our Global Innovation Center, located at our San Francisco Bay Aggregates plant on San Francisco Bay, where we have been operating a Sulzer Chemtech packed column successfully for several months. Many plants that are in the pipeline globally will benefit from the partnership."

Torsten Wintergerste, Division President at Sulzer Chemtech, concludes: “Sulzer Chemtech is leading the way in driving sustainable practices across the industry. We are succeeding in this thanks to key technologies and partnerships, such as our collaboration with Blue Planet. Our latest funding will help the development, advancement, and global adoption of ambitious carbon capture solutions to accelerate the transition to net-zero emissions.”