KC8 PACER Project
The PACER project—short for Potassium Carbonate Absorption for Clinker Emissions Reduction—is an Australian-led initiative aimed at reducing emissions from cement production, while making the process more affordable and environmentally sustainable than traditional methods. It’s a collaboration between KC8 Capture Technologies, Cement Australia, and LETA.
Why cement?
Cement is essential for building homes, roads, and infrastructure. It’s the key binding ingredient in concrete, which is the most widely used construction material in the world. However, making cement produces a lot of emissions, especially during the creation of “clinker,” a key ingredient in cement. This process is responsible for a significant portion of the cement industry’s emissions.
What is PACER?
The PACER project aims to develop a new way to capture emissions using a solution based on potassium carbonate — a safe and commonly used substance. This method has the potential to capture up to 95% of emissions from clinker production.
Where is it happening?
The PACER technology is being tested at Cement Australia’s plant in Gladstone, Queensland. This site is a great Australian location to demonstrate this low emission technology, as well as the potential for scale-up in the future.
How does this fit with LETA’s mission?
LETA is focused on supporting the development of technologies that can reduce emissions from industries where decarbonisation is particularly challenging, such as cement production. By investing in PACER, LETA is supporting the development of solutions that can lower emissions while keeping these essential industries running efficiently.
What’s next?
Upon successful testing, the goal is to implement this technology on a larger scale, both in Australia and internationally. This would allow the cement and other hard-to-abate industries to continue their vital work while reducing their environmental impact.
The PACER project could represent a significant step toward making cement production more sustainable, aligning with LETA’s commitment to reducing emissions in challenging industries.