Polish industry generates approximately 22% of the country's GDP and is responsible for 25% of all domestic CO2 emissions. The rising prices of fossil fuel energy and the carbon footprint costs are forcing an urgent modernisation of industry. CCS/U technologies are coming to the rescue, enabling the elimination of process emissions in energy-intensive industries.
How to overcome regulatory and financial barriers by entering into partnerships and searching for new ways of using these technologies was the topic of discussion during the Ministerial Session in Poznań on 9 April 2025 as part of Net Zero Energy, a conference and exhibition event dedicated to energy transition.
Jolanta Zdunowska, Technical Director of Carbon Capture and Storage Projects, represented Holcim Polska on the expert panel entitled CCS and CCU: technologies for CO₂ capture, storage and utilisation as the key to industrial decarbonisation. The discussion focused on the political and regulatory framework, infrastructure needs, investment challenges and the role of CCS/CCU in the broader decarbonisation strategy.
'In order to effectively implement innovative technologies that support industrial competitiveness, we need to consider investments in CCS from two perspectives. The short-term perspective involves the implementation of projects and requires significant institutional funding. The long-term perspective must ensure the commercial viability of projects after their launch, which also requires a package of solutions at the EU and governmental levels. Partnerships are key, and so is an appropriate legislative framework that will facilitate the implementation of clean technologies,’ says Jolanta Zdunowska.
After the end of free ETS allowances in 2034, the demand for cheap energy from low-carbon sources will increase dramatically, which means the renewable energy market in Poland needs to grow faster. The National Energy and Climate Plan that's being developed right now needs to include specific procedural and financial support tools. In addition to meeting the carbon neutrality requirement by 2050, domestic industry competitiveness must also be maintained. Therefore, the summary report to be prepared after the session will include recommendations for further action at the EU level in the area of industrial and climate policy.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and is part of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Its aim is to highlight the role of industrial decarbonisation innovations and energy security in the energy transition process.
Inearly April this year, experts from Holcim Poland participated in a series ofevents dedicated to CO2 capture and storage technologies, which are becoming ahot topic in energy-intensive industries. The events included the 2nd CarbonCapture Congress in Poznań. Radosław Gnutek, Carbon Capture and StorageProject Director, took part in the expert debate Leaders’ Forum I – TheFuture of CCUS in Poland, where he shared his insights on theimplementation of Go4ECOPlanet and practical tips on solutions that will enablea large-scale rollout of this technology.
CCS is an opportunity to increase the competitiveness of the cement industry in Poland in the light of the phase-out of the free emission rights under the ETS system, and Poland is currently the third largest cement producer in Europe. That is why Holcim (formerly Lafarge) has undertaken a unique global project to create an infrastructure capable of capturing 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the kiln flue gases during clinker production.
Holcim is currently implementing a unique project on a global scale – a zero-emission cement plant. Using CCS technology, the cement plant in Kujawy will soon capture 100% of carbon dioxide emissions. Maciej Sypek, President of Holcim Polska, talks about the investment worth over 300 million euros in an interview for ESG Trends.
During a meeting with stakeholders from the Świętokrzyskie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodships that was held on 12 September, Holcim Polska summarised its environmental activities and investment projects. The Environment Day was also attended by a representative of the Marshal's Office in Kielce from the Department of Agriculture, Climate and the Environment, who touched on the development of circular economy in the region.
‘We are focusing on reducing our carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, over the past 20 years we have halved our CO2 emissions from 800 kg to 400 kg per tonne of cement. In addition, we will have implemented a modern carbon capture technology by 2030,’ said President of Holcim Polska Maciej Sypek, PhD, during the 33rd Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland (3-5 September 2024).
In its expectations of businesses, the EU repeats 'zero net emissions' like a mantra. Holcim is taking up this challenge. As a result, the Kujawy Cement Plant may become the first full ydecarbonised construction materials plant in Poland. Jolanta Zdunowska, Technical Director of Carbon Capture and Storage Projects at Holcim Polska, talks about the PLN 2-bln investment project.
The first zero-emission cement plant in Europe is to be built in 2027 in Poland, in the Kujawy region. Holcim is in the process of implementing the GO4ECOPLANET project, under which 100 percent of the carbon dioxide produced by Cementownia Kujawy will be captured.
The Kujawy Go4ECOPlanet project, which aims to capture 100 percent of CO2 emissions in Kujawy Cement Plant, enters the next stage.
