SCHWENK’s goal is to install the first CO2-neutral cement plant in the Baltics

Photo: Cement plant in Brocēni (Credit SCHWENK Latvia)

The CCS project by SCHWENK Latvija is supported by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvija (LIAA). As part of the project, SCHWENK Latvija plans to install a carbon capture and storage system to reduce CO2 emissions of the cement plant in Brocēni (photo) by 0.8 Mta from 2032, corresponding to about 8% of Latvija’s GHG balance The CCS project involves a wide range of Baltic and regional partners, including energy, transport and infrastructure companies—KN Energies, Akmenes Cement, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Larvik Shipping. The LIAA serves as the contact point in Latvia under the European Net-Zero Emissions Industry Act. The European Commission officially designated the project as a strategic project on February 12, 2026.

SCHWENK Latvija is the first industrial manufacturer in Latvia to begin operation of carbon capture technologies and equipment on a demonstration scale. Decarbonisation efforts at the Brocēni cement plant have been ongoing since 2020, supported by feasibility studies and comparisons of available technologies carried out in cooperation with international experts. Investments to reduce the impact and improve efficiency over the last five years amount to €71 million. End of May in 2025, the first CO2 was successfully captured at the Brocēni cement plant using a pilot-scale carbon capture unit from the Norwegian company Capsol Technologies. The CapsolGo® demonstration unit operated in test mode until the end of last year, capturing around 2 tonnes of CO2 daily. SCHWENK Latvija continues to explore technological options within the industry and beyond to identify the most efficient solution for a planned permanent carbon capture facility. The testing period will continue until the end of 2027, while the final investment decision is planned for 2028, after the carbon capture technology for the cement plant has been selected.

https://schwenk.lv/en/first-co2-captured-at-schwenk-latvija-cement-plant-in-broceni/