Heidelberg Materials this week announced it is entering into a partnership with the Canadian government to construct a net-zero carbon capture utilization and storage facility in Edmonton, Alberta.

According to an article by the Financial Post of Canada, the $1.04 billion facility will produce carbon-neutral cement through the capture and compression of carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 1 million tons annually, equivalent to removing 300,000 passenger vehicles from the road yearly.

A project feasibility study was announced in 2019 and received a $1.4 million contribution from Emissions Reduction Alberta. Heidelberg Materials committed a further $25 million in 2022 to support the front-end engineering and design processes critical to the project’s success.

“Our Edmonton CCUS project as the world’s first carbon neutral cement plant is another milestone in Heidelberg Materials’ ambitious drive to lead the industry to net zero, and we are excited to begin realizing this as soon as possible,” Chris Ward, president and CEO of Heidelberg Materials North America, said in a company press release. “We are very fortunate to partner with the Government of Canada in this endeavor, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we move forward with this exciting project.”

Support will come from Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, which invests in major national projects. Last week, Canada expanded eligibility for investment tax credits to include cement and concrete facilities.

As one of the most common and resilient construction materials, concrete is a vital piece to the rebuilding of the world’s infrastructure. It also is why Canada has targeted lower carbon emissions in cement as one of four key strategies toward meeting its climate goals.

“There is a growing urgency for rapid decarbonization in high-emitting sectors, including the cement and concrete industry, and by working hand in hand with the industry, we can support the adoption of innovative technologies that will contribute to lower emissions and increased competitiveness,” Canadian Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a release. “Carbon capture is an important tool in our fight against climate change.”

Heidelberg Materials has operations in more than 50 countries, including the United States. Its Irving, Texas, location is an NPCA member.