Comprising seven leading chemical and energy companies – Air Liquide, BASF, Borealis, ExxonMobil, INEOS, Fluxys, Port of Antwerp and Total, the Antwerp@C project is aiming to keep CO2 out of the atmosphere and in doing so, make a significant contribution towards the climate objectives.
The project has the potential to reduce the CO2 emissions within the port (18.65 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2017) by half between now and 2030.
The funding will be used to carry out studies for a liquid CO2 Export Terminal, a CO2 backbone within the Port of Antwerp and a CO2 cross border pipeline to connect to the Netherlands.
Antwerp@C is pursuing two pathways for cross-border CO2 transport infrastructure, one for transport via an onshore pipeline to Rotterdam and one for transport by ship to North-West Europe.
Read more: Antwerp@C investigates potential for halving CO2 emissions in Port of Antwerp by 2030
This CEF award is a positive step to support CCS as a CO2 abatement technology for the industry in the Port of Antwerp.
In addition to this first step, a number of expressions of interest applications are currently being prepared by the consortium partners for submission under the European Innovation Fund that will be a key enabler to support the development of the entire CCS value chain from capture to storage.
“The time is now to make the transition towards a carbon neutral economy.Europe leads the way on a global stage,” Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp, said.
“With Antwerp@C, the port of Antwerp has the key to realise an innovative cross-border CCUS-project, a first-of-a-kind in its concept and scale.”
“We are proud to receive the necessary financial support for the study phase, as this project will contribute to the Flemish, Belgian and European climate goals and to the increased EU 2030 targets for emission reduction to at least 55%.”