This project will contribute to reducing the plant's emissions by 95%, and will generate more than 1,900 full-time jobs in the region once it is operational by the end of 2026.
In addition to the installation of carbon capture and storage technology (CCUS), the project will also include the renovation of the “green” cement storage silos, in line with the Canadian government's “Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050” strategy.
Sarens is having a direct involvement in this project, working on behalf of PCL Construction on the lifting of material forms, rebar and concrete needed for the renovation work inside the plant's silos, with loads of more than 7000 lbs.
The CCUS (Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage) project undertaken by Heidelberg Materials in Edmonton, Alberta, will have a significant environmental, social and economic impact on the region, as it will allow the absorption of more than 1 million tons of CO2 per year, which would be equivalent to taking more than 220,000 cars off the road each year. It will also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the cement plant by up to 95%, which will significantly improve the living conditions of the region's citizens.
Through this project, the Edmonton plant will become the world's first large-scale facility in the cement industry to achieve zero net emissions through the integration of CCUS technology. To this end, several renovations and improvements are being made to the “green” cement storage silos, on which Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental has been working on behalf of its client PCL Construction.
As part of the lifting of material forms, rebar and concrete required for the work carried out inside the silos, at heights in excess of 215', with weights up to 7000lbs, the Sarens engineering team decided to move a GMK 5150 with swing away jibs, an LTM 1070, and a Hoeflon C10 spider crane to the Heidelberg Materials plant in Edmonton, the latter of which was sized to fit through the top hole of the silos to operate inside them.
Heidelberg Materials' CCUS project in Edmonton began with a feasibility study in 2019, followed by a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023 with the Government of Canada, which committed up to C$275 million for its installation as part of its “Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050” strategy. As part of this project, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, a CO2 capture system will be installed that will process the emissions generated during cement production and store them permanently underground.
In addition to the economic impact in terms of investment, this project will also have a significant impact in employment generation, as it is estimated that, once operational, more than 1,900 full-time jobs will be generated in Edmonton, which will be consolidated as a center of innovation in the production of low-carbon cement.
According to Jeff Chernish, Country Manager of Sarens in Canada, “We are proud to be able to participate directly in a project of this significance, which will not only contribute economically and socially to the development of Alberta and our country, but will also have a very positive impact on the construction sector, one of the major drivers of our economy. We thank PCL Construction and Heidelberg Materials for their confidence in us, for all the facilities we have received in the 3 months we have been present at the plant, and we hope to have the opportunity to continue contributing with our international experience of more than 65 years in similar projects”.
Sarens has been a key player in the Canadian construction industry for years, thanks to the wide experience of its team, its in-depth knowledge of the sector and its extensive portfolio of cranes and modular transports. Recently, Sarens has participated in the development of the Polaris CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) Project, launched by Shell in Alberta, which will contribute to the capture of more than 650,000 tons of CO2 per year from Shell Energy and Chemical Park's Scotford plant near Edmonton. Además, Sarens has worked on the updating of the heating, ventilation & air conditioning systems of Scarborough General Hospital or Finch West Station project -both in Toronto-, installing 30 precast ceiling panels of 3.25 tons each below ground level, and was also able to contribute to the renovation of Union Station, where the team carried out the lifting and subsequent installation of several 9.4-ton iron girders for the flying garden connecting the station's north and south towers.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/