EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson accepted our invitation and visited the MCi Carbon plant in Newcastle, where she was briefed on the groundbreaking carbon capture and utilization technology developed by the Australian cleantech in collaboration with RHI Magnesita. The visit highlights the pivotal role of CCU technology for the decarbonization of the European and global industry. MCi Carbon specializes in capturing emissions from various industries, such as refractories, steel, cement, fertilizers, and repurposing carbon to create products and materials for the circular carbon economy. Utilizing a chemical process known as mineral carbonation, MCi Carbon produces materials like calcium and magnesium carbonate by carbonating minerals in industrial by-products.
Aussie Clean Tech for the European Grean Deal
RHI Magnesita, as MCi Carbon’s first global commercial customer, plans to deploy MCi’s decarbonization solution to drastically reduce their Scope 1 emissions. “The partnership with the Australian startup MCi Carbon is forward-looking, combining carbon capture storage and carbon utilization, which is currently the most promising way for the refractory industry to reduce process emissions and thus achieve our Net Zero goal,” said Constantin Beelitz, Regional President Europe, CIS & Türkiye at RHI Magnesita.
In a significant move toward global sustainable industrial decarbonization, MCi Carbon has initiated preliminary engineering work for their first industrial-scale plant in collaboration with RHI Magnesita. This endeavor, coupled with a substantial investment from RHI Magnesita, accelerates MCi Carbon’s mission to scale up and commercialize their carbon capture and utilization technology.
RHI Magnesita has now committed again an additional multi-million-euro investment into testing and scale-up of MCi Carbon’s technology in preparation for the commercial roll-out at Hochfilzen/Austria, a project planned for 2028 which will capture and transform approximately 50,000 tons of CO2 per year and create mineral value products that are carbon negative. During her visit, Commissioner Simson gained insights into the technology’s potential for advancing the EU’s CO2 reduction goals.
“In the pursuit of our climate goals, embracing diverse technologies is paramount,” Commissioner Simson emphazises. “It’s imperative to establish a robust legal framework within the EU that not only enables but also endorses innovative solutions crucial for
attaining our net zero objectives.
Marcus Dawe, Founder and CEO of MCi Carbon, expressed gratitude for the recognition from Commissioner Simson, stating, “MCi Carbon’s technology proves that decarbonization and profitable business models are possible simultaneously. The support of RHI Magnesita accelerates our impact, amplifies our voice, and solidifies our position as leaders in carbon capture and utilization.”
RHI Magnesita, headquartered in Vienna, is the world’s leading producer of industrial ceramics (refractories) with over 50 plants worldwide, including 21 plants and 4 mines in the EU. Recognizing the financial implications of rising carbon prices and the gradual phase-out of free allowances for process emissions under the EU ETS scheme, RHI Magnesita is investing in innovative technologies such as MCI Carbon’s to decarbonize its operations.