Antwerp cluster targets CO² reductions

PULLING TOGETHER

PORTS • ANTWERP’S ENERGY AND CHEMICAL CLUSTER IS EXAMINING WAYS TO HALVE THE PORT’S CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS THROUGH COLLABORATIVE CAPTURE AND STORAGE PROJECTS

THE PORT OF Antwerp, already one of the leaders in terms of environmental and digital initiatives among its port community, has launched an ambitious project to halve its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. At the end of 2019 it brought together seven leading chemical and energy companies active in the port with a plan to take practical steps to transition to a sustainable and low-carbon environment.

Under the project, ‘Antwerp@C’, the partners – Air Liquide, BASF, Borealis, ExxonMobil, Ineos,

ANTWERP’S CHEMICAL CLUSTER HAS THE RANGE

OF EXPERTISE NEEDED TO CARRY OUT THE PROJECT Fluxys, Total and the Port of Antwerp itself – are examining in particular ways of capturing, storing and using CO² produced within the port, in order to make a significant contribution towards meeting climate objectives. The project has now moved on to applying for EU subsidies in order to take it further.

As an initial move, Antwerp@C is currently carrying out a feasibility study with the support of the Flemish Agency for Innovation & Enterprise (VLAIO). This will investigate the possibility of building a central ‘backbone’ in the form of a pipeline along the industrial zones on both the right and left banks of the River Scheldt, along with various shared processing units, a shared CO² liquefaction unit, interim storage facilities and cross-border transport of CO², both by ship and by pipeline.

As Belgium does not have suitable geological conditions for the underground storage of CO², the project will look at cross-border transport to find permanent storage in depleted offshore gas fields. Antwerp@C is therefore looking at the potential to move CO² by pipeline to Rotterdam or by ship to Norway.

WHAT THEY SAY “As the largest petrochemical cluster in Europe, we are assuming our responsibility with unprecedented collaboration between eight leading companies,” says Wouter de Geest, chairman of Antwerp@C. “Together we are investigating the possibilities for cutting CO² emissions from our production processes, as well as additional innovative solutions for more sustainable petrochemistry in Antwerp.”

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp, says: “This promising project will enable us to play our pioneering role even more effectively. It demonstrates once more that collaboration is key for generating a cluster effect and creating innovative, operational added value. If this shared infrastructure can actually be realised then it will benefit the entire industrial community in the port and make a valuable contribution towards the Flemish, Belgian and European climate goals.”

“This project demonstrates our capabilities for technological progress are closely tied to the future of our climate,” adds port alderman Annick de Ridder. “If we as the second-largest port in Europe can contribute towards saving up to half of our CO² emissions, this will open up countless opportunities for sustainable growth in our industry and our prosperity. By taking on this pioneering role we aim to be an inspiration for the entire port community.”

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is seen by the EU as an important weapon to combat climate change; the initiatives put forward by Antwerp@C are therefore recognised as Projects of Common Interest. Antwerp@C hopes that this will enable it to receive funding under the Connecting Europe Facility, while it is also preparing a subsidy application under the European Innovation Fund as part of the Green Deal. www.portofantwerp.com