Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Green
Taiwan Cement Corporation
INTRODUCTION
To support Paris Agreement and to achieve the CO2 emission standard for inhibiting global average temperature rise below 1.5°C as specified in the Global Warming Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) devoted in the development of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). TCC have made the first CO2 capture test plant in the Hoping Plant as the demo plant for promoting CO2 capture. TCC used Calcium-Looping technology for CO2 capture, and used those CO2 to cultivate Haematococcus pluvialis, the algae which contains abundant of astaxanthin. TCC moreover designed the World’s first astaxanthin soba noodle, which not only beneficial to health but also reduce energy-consumption during the extraction process. The vision of TCC is to make the CO2 capture become a mature technology, which can not only mitigate global warming but also add value to carbon circular economy.
FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGY
TCC has promised to be adhere to Total Climate Commitment and Total Care Commitment, and the corporate mission to support the Paris agreement.TCC conducted Calcium-Looping technology for CO2 capture, the Company not only used those inactive absorbent limestone as a raw material of cement production, but also used those CO2 to incubate Haematococcus pluvialis, which contains abundant of astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is recognized as the strongest antioxidant in the world, and it is an indispensable rare raw material in the health-care industry.
Calcium-Looping technology for CO2 capture not only captures carbon dioxide, but also reduces the cost of the cement production. It is a win-win strategy for the core business of the corporation and the environment.
This project aligns with the blue print of TCC from cement manufacture and marketing to an eco-solution provider that voluntarily seek eco-solutions and protect the natural environment.
ACHIEVEMENT AND IMPACT
Since Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is believed as an essential technology in addressing climate-related issues, the commercialisation of CCS becomes the goal of TCC. The Company created the application platform for CCUS to fulfill the vision.TCC made the first CO2 capture test plant in the Hoping Plant as the demo plant, used Calcium-Looping technology for CO2 capture, and used those CO2 to incubate Microalgae and Haematococcus pluvialis, the algae which contains abundant of Astaxanthin, The unique design and technology won the recognition of the 2014 Global R&D 100 Awards, and the “astaxanthin application” has been recognised by the 13th National Innovation Award and the 5th National Industrial Innovation Award.
TCC further actively promoted the application of astaxanthin. In 2018, TCC produced soba noodle, which embodied the astaxanthin in noodles and a series of skin-care product were introduced in the same year. The Company believes that the innovation and application of astaxanthin-related products is a new way to connect with the public’s everyday life.
FUTURE DIRECTION
TCC has continually tested the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, and the medium- and long-term goals are to develop and establish the calcium looping CO2 capture system and technology with a commercial scale. After combining the technology with cement production and power generation, TCC aims to become a competitive provider to CO2 capture technology.In 2019, the Company will launch a new plan with a budget of NT$600 million to expand the CCUS technology. It is estimated that the carbon capture in 2025 will be 450,000 tons per year.
Zero emission in carbon capture is the last mile for TCC. The Company will continually develop CCUS technology to become an eco-solution provider that build a circular economy emphasizing “zero waste, zero pollution, and zero emission” through technology and thought innovation and new energy development, in order to create new values for sustainable businesses.
The Taiwan Cement Corporation (TCC) was officially transformed from a state-owned enterprise to a public company in 1954. “Environment, Energy, and Cement” are the three cores in the business of TCC. By applying innovative technologies and thoughts, the Company will develop new energies, march toward the goal of a circular economy with “zero waste, zero pollution, and zero emission”, and create new values as a sustainable enterprise.
