HuCCSar: Hub for Carbon Capture and Storage to Decarbonize Hard-to-Abate Regions in Poland

HuCCSar: Exploring Carbon Capture and Storage Solutions for Hard-to-Abate Regions in Poland HuCCSar is an early-stage carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative that aims to assess the potential for an industrial-scale onshore CO2 transport and storage system in Poland and to demonstrate the proposed approach. Coordinated by Heidelberg Materials Polska together with its subsidiary, Górażdże Cement S.A., and in partnership with Schlumberger Poland Sp. z o.o., the project intends to explore a safe, cost-effective and scalable approach to the permanent storage of captured industrial carbon dioxide. 

The project is designed to integrate carbon capture, transport infrastructure, geological storage and advanced monitoring, measurement and verification (MMV) technologies into a single CCS value chain. Subject to technical validation, regulatory approvals, site characterization, stakeholder engagement and relevant investment decisions, the planned infrastructure is intended to support the development of a domestic CO2 hub and onshore storage system. This could provide an additional pathway for reducing emissions from energy-intensive industries in Poland and contribute to the development of a national CCS framework. 

Over the course of the project, HuCCSar intends to capture, transport and permanently store approximately 51,000 tonnes of CO2 , thereby preventing it from reaching the atmosphere. Within its defined scope, the project aims to achieve a relative emissions reduction of around 96% and strives to demonstrate the potential role of CCS in reducing emissions from hard-to-abate industrial sectors such as cement production. 

A key area of innovation for HuCCSar is the proposed deployment of advanced MMV solutions intended to enable high-resolution, real-time monitoring of stored CO2 . These technologies are designed to support operational safety, regulatory compliance and transparency. The project also intends to engage openly and transparently with local communities, public authorities and other stakeholders, with safety and responsible environmental management (or similar) at the centre of project planning and implementation. Lessons from the project may also inform the future development of technical standards and regulatory frameworks for onshore CO2 storage in Poland. 

By exploring domestic CO2 storage capacity, HuCCSar intends to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Net-Zero Industry Act and broader European decarbonisation policies. As an initial demonstration project, it aims to generate technical, regulatory and operational experience that could support the responsible development of CCS solutions in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe. 
With support from the European Union's Innovation Fund, HuCCSar represents an important step in assessing long-term carbon management solutions for Polish industry. Its ambition is to contribute to industrial decarbonization and regional competitiveness while maintaining a strong focus on safety, environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and constructive dialogue with stakeholders.

Project Partners: Górażdże Cement S.A. and Schlumberger Poland Sp. z o.o.
Location: Poland
Contact: name, xxx@slb.com
Innovation Fund Grant: €26.5 million

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the  author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European  Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the  European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.