In our recent response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Permanent CCU Delegated Act, we welcomed its publication as a significant step in supporting companies to build their business cases for carbon reduction through certain specific carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) pathways. By exempting them from surrendering ETS allowances for mineralised CO2, the EU is sending a clear signal to companies across Europe.
🔵 EU rules should be more inclusive within the construction sector by considering further CCU products with permanent carbon binding
We understand the European Commission’s objective to focus on mineralisation applications where GHG emissions are permanently bound and not re-emitted during normal use and disposal. However, the text should also include additional mineralisation products not listed and innovative materials beyond carbonation (e.g. precast products, hydraulic binders, carbon nanocomposites).
🔵 EU rules should be opened to mineralisation products in areas other than construction
We believe that the current wording of the Delegated Act is too restrictive for some mineralisation applications when referring to “construction products”. While we understand the Commission’s aim to ensure CO2 is not re-emitted at the end of a product’s life, mineral carbonates can be used in other applications where they do not re-emit CO2 during normal use and disposal (e.g. bypass dust).
🔵 ETS rules still do not create a level playing field and do not incentivise non-permanent CCU applications
While not the purpose of this current text, we still urge an EU policy framework for non-permanent CCU applications (e.g. CCU fuels, CCU chemicals) to incentivise CCU technologies, enhance circularity in the industry, and scale up investments through supportive and consistent regulations.
Read our response to the public consultation on the Permanent CCU Delegated Act here.
