RHI Magnesita is pleased to announce its partnership with Compact Membrane Systems (CMS) to launch a new carbon capture pilot project. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in RHI Magnesita’s journey towards achieving net-zero emissions. CMS, a pioneer in separation solutions for low carbon intensity processes, was introduced to RHI Magnesita through their participation in the Verbund X accelerator program in 2022, which fosters collaboration between established industry leaders and startups. “The Verbund X accelerator has been a tremendous experience and was an excellent way to meet industrial players who are taking practical steps for near-term decarbonization” says Erica Nemser, CEO of CMS.
RHI Magnesita is the world’s leading producer of refractory materials which are used in all high-temperature industrial processes. As market leader, RHI Magnesita recognizes its ecological and economic responsibility to drive sustainability. Reducing CO2 emissions is therefore one of the company’s top priorities. A significant part of the company’s carbon emissions is released during the processing of raw materials. Decarbonizing the company therefore requires unprecedented innovation and technology.
Andreas Drescher, Sustainable Technology and Decarbonization Expert at RHI Magnesita, explains, “Collaboration between leading industrial companies and start-ups is crucial to achieve the sustainable progress we are striving for at RHI Magnesita. As the world’s leading manufacturer of refractories, we see it as our responsibility to significantly drive sustainability. Reducing CO2 emissions is therefore one of our top priorities.”
Pilot plant to be installed in Austria in 2023
Following an intensive research and testing phase in 2022, RHI Magnesita will implement CMS’ cutting-edge Optiperm™ Carbon membrane technology in a field rig designed to capture process waste gases from one of its furnaces. The pilot plant is scheduled for commissioning in Q4 2023 and will operate at one of RHI Magnesita’s sites in Austria. This pilot project aims to verify the technology’s effectiveness in a real industrial environment and pave the way for subsequent phases, including larger-scale demonstrations.
Andreas Drescher comments, “The decarbonization of our industry requires unprecedented innovation and investment. Therefore, RHI Magnesita announced at the beginning of 2021 its intention to invest €50 million in technology research and the construction of pilot plants. CMS is one of the projects realized as part of this ongoing investment. We are looking forward to the test results of the membrane carbon capture technology and are also excited about the prospect of sharing knowledge with other industrial partners to accelerate their path to achieving net zero emissions.”
This partnership represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable industrial practices. The collaboration between CMS and RHI Magnesita will advance carbon capture in hard-to-abate industries and facilitate the transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.
ABOUT COMPACT MEMBRANE SYSTEMS, INC. (CMS)
Compact Membrane Systems (CMS) enables the clean energy transition and improves the efficiency of chemical processing through membrane solutions. Located in Newport, Delaware, CMS provides durable and effective separation solutions in the toughest environments. Founded in 1993, CMS has developed and produced membrane systems for use in transformers, wind turbines, marine systems, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and bulk gasoline storage, among other applications. CMS’ breakthrough Optiperm™ facilitated-transport technology has been demonstrated in the field several times, and most recently in an olefin-paraffin separation application at a Braskem site, and is now being tested in point-source carbon capture applications in hard-to-abate sectors. Manufacturing and development are performed at our site in Newport, Delaware. CMS’ team comprises of 20 employees with skills spanning across R&D, product development, systems modelling, business development, operations and management. CMS also has a handful of advisors with decades of experience in the oil & gas and membrane industries.