NorFraKalk and Ocean GeoLoop are taking the first step towards large-scale CO2 capture with the ambition to make NorFraKalk climate neutral. The Enova-supported project, based in Trøndelag, puts Norway at the forefront of cutting emissions from quicklime production. The lime and cement industry accounts for just under a tenth of the world's CO2 emissions and is one of the industries where CO2 capture is necessary to reach climate goals.

This challenge is now addressed by the project. The first phase of the collaboration is to investigate a pilot plant for carbon capture at NorFraKalk's lime kiln in Verdal Industrial Park. The plant currently emits around 200,000 tons of CO2 per year.

The pilot project, which will now be assessed, will capture 10,000 tons of CO2, to prove that the solution works in quicklime production. In recent years, NorFraKalk has, through participation in several different SINTEF-led studies, investigated the possible use of different technologies for CO2 capture from lime kilns. One of the main obstacles to many capture technologies is the lack of excess heat to power the process.

Ocean GeoLoop uses an all-electric pressure swing process for CO2 capture, which is not dependent on excess heat. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the technology has undergone successful testing at the industrial pilot plant at Norske Skog Skogn, in parallel with an extensive test and documentation programme at SINTEF's carbon capture lab in Trondheim.