Pathways for carbon management in the cement industry in a carbon neutral energy system with focus on Baden-Württemberg

Reducing CO 2 emissions from the cement industry is challenging because a large share of the emissions arises from core chemical processes, and the further handling of the CO 2 depends highly on regional CO 2 storage availability. We provide the first quantitative, system-wide comparison of oxygen-from-electrolysis, CO₂ grid, and flexible grinding for cement decarbonisation, based on an endogenous linear optimisation model quantifying the system-cost and technology-mix implications. The analysis focuses on Baden-Württemberg, an industrial region without established geological storage and with constrained renewable resources. It therefore offers insights for similarly constrained regions. The study investigates the role of carbon capture technologies in future carbon management strategies, including both CO 2 storage and its utilisation for fuels and chemical products. Across six scenarios, the viability of carbon management options depends strongly on the availability of CO 2 transport and storage infrastructure; where these are absent, on-site carbon capture and utilisation becomes essential. The study further examines the use of co-product oxygen from electrolysers in oxyfuel combustion. It also assesses flexible cement grinding as an implicit demand-side response option. Comparing the three technological options—CO 2 network availability, oxygen from electrolysis, and flexible cement grinding—shows that oxygen utilization reduces average cement prices by up to 30 %, a CO 2 grid by 5 %, and flexible cement grinding by 1.2 – 6.6 %.