FOEN registers zirkulit programme for CO2 storage in concrete

(CONNECT) The climate protection programme of zirkulit Beton AG from Kloten is now officially registered as a project to increase sink performance, according to a press release. This makes it the first project for CO2 storage in circular concrete to be approved by the FOEN in Switzerland. The programme includes several CO2 storage facilities that are operated in zirkulit partnerships with concrete manufacturers at various locations in Switzerland.

As part of the programme, biogenic CO2 is captured from Swiss biogas plants, transported to recycled concrete plants and brought into contact with granulate from demolished concrete in the storage layers developed by zirkulit. The CO2 reacts with the cement paste contained in the concrete granulate to form calcium carbonate and is thus permanently mineral-bound. This granulate is then used to produce circular concrete.

"This creates a permanent carbon sink in a durable building material", says zirkulit Beton AG, "a key lever on the way to net zero in the building sector". This underlines its claim to actively contribute to the transformation towards a circular and climate-friendly construction industry.

The programme is financially supported by the Climate Cent Foundation. Together with the partners of zirkulit Beton AG, it is promoting the project as one of five national pilot projects for negative emission technologies and carbon capture and storage. Climate Cent is providing a total of CHF 50 million for this purpose. Financing is provided as part of a multi-year supply contract for the CO₂ reductions achieved through the programme. ce/mm