Gangwon-do, Ministry of Science and ICT Selected as Demonstration Site for 'CCU Mega Project'

Promotion of Demonstration Project for 'Carbon Capture and Utilization' Technology, a Core Strategy for Carbon Neutrality
Cement Companies and Gangwon Local Governments Form 'Gangwon Consortium' to Compete in Public Bidding

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on the 22nd that Gangwon Province was finally selected for the (tentative name) ‘Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU) Mega Project’ demonstration site public contest, which was announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT on June 19.

Exterior view of Gangwon Provincial Government Office.

Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU) is a technology that captures carbon dioxide emitted from industrial processes such as cement, steel, and power generation, and converts it into useful substances like calcium carbonate or methanol.

In particular, major advanced countries present Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS = CCU + Storage) technology as a key strategic means to achieve carbon neutrality in their long-term low-carbon development strategies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) also projects that CCUS technology will account for 15% of cumulative carbon dioxide emission reductions by 2070, indicating that CCUS technology is expected to receive even more attention in the future.

Considering that 63% of domestic cement production is concentrated in Gangwon Province and that 51% of the province’s total carbon dioxide emissions come from the cement industry, Gangwon Province judged that this CCU technology is absolutely necessary. Therefore, it actively prepared for the contest by forming the Gangwon Consortium with Samcheok City, Gangneung City, Sampyo Cement, and Halla Cement.

A total of 27 consortia participated in this Ministry of Science and ICT contest, and after on-site investigations and evaluations by a selection committee composed of experts in related fields, five consortia including the Gangwon Consortium were finally selected. Follow-up measures such as applying for a preliminary feasibility study will be carried out.

Governor Kim Jin-tae of Gangwon Province stated, “This project maintains the existing cement industry while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the captured carbon dioxide will be utilized to produce clean fuel and secondary batteries.” He added, “Since carbon capture and utilization is anticipated to be a core technology for future industries, we will successfully promote the demonstration project.”

Gangwon Province plans to establish technology demonstration and industrialization plans by utilizing carbon dioxide generated in the cement sector, and after a preliminary feasibility study, will begin full-scale project implementation starting in 2026.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.