India Launches First-of-Its-Kind Carbon Capture Testbeds in Cement Sector to Drive Industrial Decarbonisation

New Delhi: In a landmark move to combat industrial carbon emissions and advance India’s net-zero ambitions, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has announced the establishment of five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector. This initiative, the first of its kind in the country, aims to create a research and innovation cluster that aligns with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the goal of achieving a carbon-neutral economy by 2070.

Announced on National Technology Day (May 11, 2025) at a special ceremony held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, the initiative marks a critical step in transitioning hard-to-abate industries like cement towards greener operations. The event was graced by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who handed over grants to the testbed teams in the presence of DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar and other senior officials.

The five CCU testbeds represent a unique collaboration between premier research institutions and leading cement manufacturers under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. These pilot projects will explore various technological pathways to capture carbon dioxide from cement production and convert it into valuable products such as synthetic fuels, urea, soda ash, chemicals, food-grade CO₂, and concrete aggregates.

“Carbon Capture Utilisation is a key enabler for decarbonising tough industrial sectors like cement, steel, and power,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh. “This pioneering effort by DST demonstrates India’s proactive commitment to achieving net-zero targets through innovative and scalable technology.”

The testbeds will serve as translational R&D platforms focused on integrated CO₂ capture and utilisation systems. Each project will target a different technological domain — from catalyst development and electrochemical processes to advanced gas separation techniques — with the ultimate aim of reducing the carbon intensity of cement production.

Launched by the Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division of DST, the initiative began with a special call for academia-industry consortia to develop and deploy CCU units in operational cement plants. The selection process prioritized projects capable of demonstrating real-time performance and potential for commercial scale-up.

The cement industry, which is central to India’s infrastructure growth, is one of the highest contributors to industrial carbon emissions. With this initiative, India not only aims to cut down emissions but also catalyze the development of Green Cement, making it more affordable and environmentally sustainable.

Senior dignitaries present at the launch included Secretary DBT Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, HCL Co-Founder Dr. Ajai Choudhary, TDB Secretary Dr. Rajesh Pathak, CEST Head Dr. Anita Gupta, and DST Associate Head Dr. Neelima Alam.

The outcomes of these CCU testbeds are expected to provide a robust roadmap for industry stakeholders and policymakers, bolstering India’s position as a global leader in sustainable industrial transformation.