Air Liquide (Paris:AI) and BASF say they are planning to develop the world’s largest cross-border carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain. The goal reportedly is to significantly reduce CO2 emissions at the industrial cluster in the port of Antwerp. The joint project “Kairos@C” has been selected for funding by the European Commission through its Innovation Fund as one of the seven large-scale projects out of more than 300 applications.
Kairos@C will be jointly developed by Air Liquide and BASF at its Antwerp chemical site. By avoiding 14.2 million tons of CO2 over the first 10 years of operation, it will significantly contribute to the EU’s goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050, according to the companies.
Besides combining CO2 capture, liquefaction, transportation and storage on a large scale in the North Sea, the project includes several innovative technologies. Notably, for capturing the CO2 from production plants, Air Liquide will use its patented Cryocap technology and, for drying the CO2, BASF will apply its Sorbead offering. The project is planned to be operational in 2025.
Kairos@C is paving the way for the next phases of carbon abatement in the port of Antwerp, according to Air Liquide. The project will also be connected to shared CO2 transport and export infrastructures, including a CO2 liquefaction and export terminal, which will be built under the framework of “Antwerp@C,” a consortium that aims to halve CO2 emissions in the port of Antwerp by 2030. Air Liquide and BASF are founding members of Antwerp@C.
The European Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest programs for promoting innovative low-carbon technologies. Receiving this funding is an essential milestone in making a final investment decision and starting the execution of this project, according to Air Liquide.
For more information, visit: www.airliquide.com
