ETH Zurich study on DAC-cement integration
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 16, 2026
The study could boost investor interest in carbon capture technologies and cement decarbonization, potentially benefiting companies like Heirloom Carbon Technologies and cement producers adopting similar methods. However, the technology is still in early stages, and market impact is likely limited until commercial-scale demonstrations prove economic viability.
Researchers at ETH Zurich, led by Andre Bardow and PhD student Vittoria Bolongaro, published a life-cycle assessment in Chem Circularity showing that integrating calcium-looping direct air capture (DAC) with cement production could reduce the climate impact of cement by 78% by 2050. The study, conducted with Heirloom Carbon Technologies, found that commercial calcium-looping DAC plants can achieve net-negative carbon footprints, with removal efficiencies of 85-96% depending on the energy mix. The approach uses electric kilns and existing calcium chemistry to capture CO2 from both the calcination process and the atmosphere. Heirloom already operates a commercial DAC plant in United States — California and plans a larger facility in United States — Louisiana. The study is the first prospective life-cycle analysis of industrial-scale calcium-looping DAC, but notes that electric kilns are not yet deployed at scale and economic feasibility remains unproven.
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