Vienna, January 29, 2025 – RHI Magnesita, the global leader in refractories, was showcased at the UN Climate Conference in Baku (COP29) for its CCUpScale project as part of the Net-Zero Industries Award 2024. The company has now officially received the Outstanding Projects Award in Austria.
The groundbreaking CCUpScale project, a collaboration with the cleantech start-up MCi Carbon, highlights RHI Magnesita’s strong commitment to decarbonizing so-called “hard-to-abate” industries. With a total of 70 submissions from 26 countries, the Net-Zero Industries Award 2024 served as an international platform for pioneering industrial decarbonization projects. Through CCUpScale, RHI Magnesita is setting new standards in Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) by transforming CO₂ emissions into valuable mineral products using innovative technologies. These approaches pave the way for transitioning the refractory industry—one of the most emission-intensive sectors—and other CO₂-heavy industries into a more climate-neutral and sustainable future.
“This award is further proof that we are on the right track. It confirms that our innovations are driving sustainability in the refractory industry—and beyond,” says Rajah Jayendran, Chief Technology Officer. “We are proud of our team and their active role in contributing to a climate-neutral future with CCU.”
Constantin Beelitz, Regional President Europe, CIS & Türkiye, adds: “There is great excitement about this recognition at our raw materials plant in Hochfilzen. With our CCU technology, we will have decarbonized the site by 90% by the early 2030s. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all my colleagues in Hochfilzen.”
“Our success demonstrates the importance of innovation and international collaboration in tackling the challenges of emissions in “hard-to-abate” industries,” says Martin Pischler, Head of Sustainability Technology, who received the award in Linz.
The Net-Zero Industries Award is presented by Mission Innovation Net-Zero Industries, a global alliance supported by countries such as Austria, Australia, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, South Korea, the UK, the USA, and the EU. Its goal is to develop and implement cost-efficient and effective solutions for a climate-neutral industrial future.
About RHI Magnesita
RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with over 20,000 employees in 67 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to target strategically those countries and regions benefitting from more dynamic economic growth prospects.
The Group is listed within the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category (“ESCC”) of the Official List of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com
About Net-Zero Industries Mission and Mission Innovation The Net-Zero Industries
Mission launched in 2022 and is the first ever global innovation coalition with the goal of developing and demonstrating cost-competitive solutions to create a net-zero industries future. The Mission is led by Austria and Australia, in collaboration with Canada, China, the European Commission, Finland, Germany, the Republic of Korea, the UK and the USA, and will deliver at least 50 large-scale demonstration projects around the world by 2030. The Net-Zero Industries Mission members alone are responsible for 50% of global industrial emissions and USD $13.45B in annual research, development and demonstration investments in 2021. Since its launch, the Mission has released an innovation roadmap titled ‘Towards Net-Zero Industries’, as well as the recent Action Plan which outlines the actions needed to reach Mission goals. The NIM unveiled its first Country Insight Report at CEM15/MI-9 in October 2024. The report analyses the hard-to-abate industries in the mission’s core member nations, offering insights into each country’s approach to achieving net-zero in key industrial sectors. This report highlights industry emissions data, economic figures, policies, R&D strategies, funding programs, and flagship projects, providing a crucial resource for understanding global efforts to transform industries and tackle climate challenges. Read more about the NIM: Net-Zero Industries – Mission Innovation.