The CO₂ capture project DREAM was officially launched in northern Italy during April, marking its entrance into the funded phase of development as of 1 April 2026. The initiative to Decarbonise the Rezzato and Mazzano cement plant is to be implemented under the European Union’s Innovation Fund.

The kick off meeting was attended by representatives from Heidelberg Materials Italia, sole beneficiary, with 100% of the Grant Agreement, its parent company Heidelberg Materials AG, and CINEA, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, which manages the Innovation Fund programme.

DREAM represents Italy’s first industrial-scale CCS project in the cement sector, aiming to implement a highly innovative, tailor-made CO₂ capture solution for the decarbonisation of both production lines at the Rezzato–Mazzano cement plant, located in the Province of Brescia.

For CO₂ capture, the project envisages two distinct technologies, one for each of the two clinker production lines. The grey clinker kiln line will be converted to oxy-fuel combustion technology, enabling the production of process exhaust gases with a higher CO₂ concentration; capture will then be completed through a cryogenic separation process. For the white clinker production line, a post-combustion capture solution has been designed based on chemical absorption.

The thermal energy required for solvent regeneration in both lines will be met almost entirely through an integrated and interconnected waste heat recovery system. To maximise energy efficiency and increase the CO₂ capture rate, the off-gas from the cryogenic unit will be routed to the white clinker kiln line, where it will be further processed.

Following on from the official kick-off, the next milestone will be the parent company’s final investment decision. Crucial enabling factors include a clear and complete definition of the CCS regulatory and legislative framework and related national incentive scheme in Italy, and the development of transport and storage infrastructures.