Carbon capture pilot plant 

Infraserv Höchst has launched a carbon capture pilot plant at its sewage sludge incineration facility in Industriepark Höchst. The goal: to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of removing CO₂ from flue gases. Supplied by GEA, the plant will operate for three months as part of a test phase.

Advancing Industrial Sustainability

“Pilot projects like this are essential to collect data and validate processes,” said Dr. Joachim Kreysing, Managing Director at Infraserv Höchst. “They pave the way for deploying full-scale carbon capture systems and support the site's long-term sustainability goals.” Dr. Kreysing emphasised carbon capture’s potential in cutting emissions, preserving fossil resources, and supporting circular economy strategies.

The captured CO₂ could also be repurposed. Infraserv is actively exploring markets for CO₂ utilisation and aims to position Industriepark Höchst as a hub for sustainable industrial transformation.

Challenges of Capturing CO₂ from Flue Gas

The pilot captures a partial flow of flue gas from the incineration plant’s chimney. This gas contains various substances, making the separation of CO₂ technically complex. The pilot is designed to evaluate key parameters such as capture rate, CO₂ purity, energy consumption, and the performance of the scrubbing agent used.

“The project allows us to study the energy efficiency and cost structure of large-scale carbon capture under real conditions,” explained Dr. Sirko Ogriseck, Project Manager at Infraserv Höchst. The facility was chosen specifically because some of the CO₂ emitted is biogenic, derived from renewable sources, and considered climate neutral. This type of CO₂ is valuable for producing low-emission fuels and materials, particularly in combination with green hydrogen and renewable electricity.

How the GEA Technology Works

“Flue gas is diverted from the chimney and fed into the pilot unit,” said Michael Schneider, R&D Engineer at GEA. “Using amine scrubbing, the CO₂ is absorbed into a water-based amine solution, which is then heated to release the CO₂.” Although further purification is possible, for now, the captured CO₂ is redirected back into the incinerator’s exhaust system after analysis.

Building on Past Success in CO₂ Utilisation

Infraserv Höchst has prior experience in carbon capture and utilisation (CCU). In the ICO2CHEM research project, CO₂ from the park's biogas plant was used to produce synthetic waxes and oils. Today, that same CO₂ is supplied to INERATEC’s new power-to-liquid plant—Europe’s largest—which transforms it into synthetic fuels like e-kerosene using hydrogen.