Ambuja Cements secures first Indo-Swedish grant for CCU pilot

Ambuja Cements has been selected for the first Indo-Swedish carbon capture and utilization (CCU) pre-pilot in the global cement sector, strengthening India's industrial decarbonization efforts, according to a LinkedIn post by the company Dec. 10.

The project forms part of seven newly approved India-Sweden feasibility studies aimed at cutting emissions from the steel and cement sectors.

According to the post, Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, will partner with IIT Bombay and Sweden's Eco Tech to evaluate an integrated CCU system for cement operations. The study will examine technologies capable of capturing CO2 from clinker production and converting it into products such as precipitated calcium carbonate or green methanol using low-carbon hydrogen pathways. The initiative marks a shift from traditional carbon storage concepts toward a circular carbon economy.

Vinod Bahety, CEO of Adani Group's cement business, said, "Securing this grant reinforces our commitment to responsible innovation and global collaboration," noting that CCU represents a critical final step in its net-zero strategy. Bahety also said that Ambuja's wider decarbonization roadmap includes deploying Coolbrook's RotoDynamic Heater electric kiln technology, expanding renewable energy capacity, scaling waste-heat recovery systems, and increasing alternative fuel usage.

A Southeast Asia-based trader said, "It makes sense for cement and clinker producers to look into decarbonization since this sector is among the most carbon-intensive."

Another Asia-based trader said, "I have seen key Southeast Asian producers like Thailand and Vietnam are also stepping up their decarbonization initiatives."

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed cement (ASTM type I) FOB Vietnam at $36.5/mt on Dec. 4, up from $36/mt the previous week. Platts also assessed cement clinker FOB Vietnam at $31/mt on Dec. 4, up from $30.75/mt FOB the previous week.