Air Liquide, BASF to develop world’s largest cross-border CCS value chain

The goal is to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions at the industrial cluster in the port of Antwerp. The joint project “Kairos@C” has been selected for funding by the European Commission through its Innovation Fund, as one of the seven large-scale projects out of more than 300 applications.

Kairos@C will be jointly developed by Air Liquide and BASF at its Antwerp chemical site. By avoiding 14.2 MMt tons of CO₂ over the first 10 years of operation, it will significantly contribute to the EU’s goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

Besides combining CO₂ capture, liquefaction, transportation and storage on a large scale in the North Sea, the project includes several innovative technologies. Notably, for capturing the CO₂ from production plants, Air Liquide will use its patented Cryocap technology and, for drying the CO₂, BASF will apply its Sorbead solution. The project is planned to be operational in 2025.

Kairos@C is paving the way for the next phases of carbon abatement in the port of Antwerp. The project will also be connected to shared CO₂ transport and export infrastructures, including a first-of-its-kind CO₂ liquefaction and export terminal, which will be built under the framework of “Antwerp@C”, a consortium that aims to halve CO₂ emissions in the Port of Antwerp by 2030. Air Liquide and BASF are founding members of Antwerp@C.

"In line with its sustainability objectives, which include reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, Air Liquide’s ambition is to contribute actively to the emergence of a low carbon society. Energy transition requires tackling complex projects and joining forces of both public and private sectors to make these projects a reality," said Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide. "We are very pleased that the Kairos@C project has been selected by the Innovation Fund and it will contribute towards the EU climate goals, thanks in particular to some innovative Air Liquide technologies. Air Liquide and BASF have been engaged in a strategic partnership in the port of Antwerp for over 50 years and this groundbreaking project opens a new chapter of our cooperation towards developing a more sustainable industry."

The European Innovation Fund is one of the world’s largest programs for promoting innovative low-carbon technologies to decarbonize Europe’s industry. Receiving this funding is an essential milestone in making a final investment decision and starting the execution of this project.

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