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Techno-economic and environmental analysis of methanol production from cement carbon dioxide emissions

Author

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  • Siskos, Christoforos
  • Manakas, Pantelis
  • Karaoglanoglou, Lazaros
  • Vlysidis, Anestis

Abstract

Global warming due to carbon dioxide accumulation in the atmosphere from human activities stands as a major environmental concern that needs to be addressed. With the cement industry responsible for 5–8 % of global emissions, efforts to mitigate them are necessary. The main objective of this study is the assessment of the financial feasibility and environmental impact of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) unit to methanol from cement production flue gases. Using Aspen Plus software, a carbon capture process with aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) as solvent and a utilization process to methanol through direct catalytic hydrogenation are designed and employed as basis for the subsequent techno-economic study, investment evaluation and carbon footprint calculation, by means of SimaPro software. The profile of the complete CCU unit is characterized by a capacity of 432 kt methanol/y, capital cost of 301 M€, operational expenditure of 1390 €/t methanol produced, Net Present Value (NPV) of −3179 M€ and 96.7 % lower carbon footprint compared to an unmodified cement production process. Apart from the clear environmental advantage, through strategic alterations of the process financial “hotspots”, operational expenditure can be lowered by 39.0 % (through 51.7 % reduction in green hydrogen cost) and NPV can be increased by 51.4 % (through 51.7 % and 30.0 % reductions in green hydrogen and mean steam cost respectively), highlighting potential for economic investment in construction and operation of a plant based on the proposed unit in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Siskos, Christoforos & Manakas, Pantelis & Karaoglanoglou, Lazaros & Vlysidis, Anestis, 2026. "Techno-economic and environmental analysis of methanol production from cement carbon dioxide emissions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PD).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pd:s0960148125017732
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Williams, Franco & Yang, Aidong, 2026. "Substituting fossil fuels in cement production with solar energy to reduce carbon emissions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).

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