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In a significant push towards its climate goals, India is set to launch five dedicated Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) testbeds within its cement industry. This strategic initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of crucial technologies needed to decarbonize one of the country’s key industrial sectors and substantially reduce its carbon footprint.
Announced on July 30, 2025, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Department of Science & Technology, these testbeds will provide a real-world environment for researchers, startups, and industry players to pilot and scale innovative CCU technologies specifically tailored to the unique challenges and operational contexts of Indian cement plants. The focus will be on capturing carbon dioxide emissions generated during the cement manufacturing process and exploring viable pathways for their utilization, such as in the production of building materials or other industrial applications.
This ambitious initiative underscores India’s commitment to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and its long-term strategy for achieving net-zero emissions:
The cement industry is a major contributor to India’s industrial emissions, making its decarbonization a critical priority.
The testbeds will de-risk and accelerate the adoption of nascent CCU technologies by providing necessary infrastructure and support for pilot projects.
The initiative fosters collaboration between government, academia, and industry to drive innovation and knowledge sharing in the CCU domain.
A key focus will be on identifying and validating economically viable and environmentally sound uses for captured carbon dioxide, creating circular economy opportunities.
The program aims to build indigenous expertise and technological capabilities in carbon capture and utilization, reducing reliance on foreign technologies.
This strategic investment in CCU testbeds is expected to have a significant impact on India’s efforts to mitigate climate change:
Successful deployment of CCU technologies at scale within the cement sector could lead to significant reductions in India’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.
The development and commercialization of CCU technologies and utilization pathways can create new industries and jobs.
This initiative positions India as a frontrunner in deploying carbon capture technologies in the developing world, particularly within the hard-to-abate cement sector.
The Ministry has indicated that the first testbeds are expected to become operational by the second quarter of 2026, with regular progress updates to be shared publicly.
India’s commitment to launching these five carbon capture testbeds in its cement sector is a decisive and forward-looking step towards a low-carbon industrial future. By fostering innovation and collaboration, this initiative has the potential to significantly accelerate emissions reductions in a critical sector and position India as a global leader in the development and deployment of carbon capture and utilization technologies.
