Ahmedabad Leads As Ambuja Cements Wins First Indo Swedish CCU Pilot Globally
Ahmedabad has drawn global attention with Ambuja Cements being selected for the first Indo-Swedish carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) pilot in the cement sector, marking a significant milestone for India’s industrial decarbonisation roadmap. Supported through a bilateral grant and backed by research partners IIT Bombay and Sweden-based Eco Tech, the initiative aims to demonstrate how hard-to-abate industries can convert their emissions into useful green materials rather than releasing them into the atmosphere.
The project focuses on evaluating the technical and commercial viability of capturing carbon dioxide from cement production—one of the world’s most emission-intensive processes—and converting it into materials such as calcium carbonate or green methanol. Researchers involved in the study say the approach mirrors India’s broader shift from conventional carbon storage to a circular model where emissions become industrial inputs, enabling greener construction pathways for rapidly growing urban regions.A senior official associated with the partnership noted that CCU technologies could play a critical role in shaping sustainable manufacturing ecosystems, especially in cities expanding their infrastructure footprint. By exploring mineralisation routes, renewable-hydrogen pathways and low-energy capture systems, the team aims to establish solutions that can operate at scale while maintaining economic feasibility.For Ambuja Cements, the pilot builds on its existing low-carbon initiatives that include renewable energy expansion, waste-heat recovery projects and digital optimisation across operations. Company leadership emphasises that CCU will complement these measures by directly addressing process emissions—an unavoidable byproduct of clinker production—positioning the firm to progress meaningfully towards its validated net-zero targets.
IIT Bombay’s National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage will lead the research framework, bringing expertise in mineralisation processes that bind CO₂ into stable, long-lasting materials. Meanwhile, Eco Tech will support system integration by optimising energy demand, enhancing waste-heat recovery and identifying ways to power the CCU system using renewable electricity. According to industry analysts, this combination of scientific expertise and operational engineering is essential to ensure long-term scalability.The pilot also ties into India’s wider climate commitments, where industries are expected to present replicable pathways for reducing emissions without slowing economic expansion. As urbanisation accelerates and construction demand rises, cleaner production methods will influence how cities reduce embodied carbon in buildings and infrastructure. Experts say that successful CCU deployment could support municipal climate strategies, foster green jobs and promote resource-efficient development.
If the study proves feasible, the model could be expanded across other facilities in India and potentially exported to global markets confronting similar emission challenges. The initiative underscores how innovation, cross-country collaboration and industry-academia partnerships can accelerate climate-resilient growth. For Ahmedabad and India’s cement sector, the pilot marks a decisive shift towards a circular carbon economy that aligns industrial competitiveness with environmental responsibility.
