What is ICM?
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
CCS involves the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) at the source, such as power and cement plants, followed by its permanent storage in deep geological formations, preventing emissions from entering the atmosphere.
Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS)
DACCS involves the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the ambient air followed by its permanent storage in deep geological formations, preventing emissions from re-entering the atmosphere. Like BioCCS, this can help deliver permanent carbon removals.
Bio-Carbon Capture and Storage (BioCCS)
BioCCS involves largely the same processes as CCS ,with the distinction being that the carbon dioxide (CO₂) originates from biogenic sources, like plants. When biomass is managed sustainably, BioCCS can deliver net-negative emissions by removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)
CCU involves the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and its reuse to produce materials, fuels, or chemicals. CCU can only be compatible with net zero when the CO₂ is stored permanently in products.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
CCS involves the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) at the source, such as power and cement plants, followed by its permanent storage in deep geological formations, preventing emissions from entering the atmosphere.
Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS)
DACCS involves the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the ambient air followed by its permanent storage in deep geological formations, preventing emissions from re-entering the atmosphere. Like BioCCS, this can help deliver permanent carbon removals.
Bio-Carbon Capture and Storage (BioCCS)
BioCCS involves largely the same processes as CCS ,with the distinction being that the carbon dioxide (CO₂) originates from biogenic sources, like plants. When biomass is managed sustainably, BioCCS can deliver net-negative emissions by removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)
CCU involves the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and its reuse to produce materials, fuels, or chemicals. CCU can only be compatible with net zero when the CO₂ is stored permanently in products.
How does it work ?
Cement plant
Cement production emits significant CO₂ from both fuel combustion and chemical reactions. Carbon capture units collect this CO₂ before it is released in the atmosphere, significantly reducing emissions from the plant.
CO₂ Terminal
At the CO₂ terminal, CO₂ is either compressed for transport into a high-pressure pipeline connected to an offshore storage site or liquefied for shipping to other offshore storage sites.
Offshore CO₂ storage
Offshore platforms can be used to inject captured CO₂ deep underground into geological formations. These sites provide secure, long-term storage beneath the seabed.
Direct air capture
Direct Air Capture (DAC) removes CO₂ directly from the atmosphere using chemical or physical processes. The captured CO₂ can then be stored permanently or reused in industrial applications.
Greenhouse
Captured CO₂ can be used in greenhouses to enhance plant growth. Higher CO₂ concentrations help crops photosynthesise more efficiently, improving yields while recycling carbon.
CO₂ pipelines
High-pressure CO₂ pipelines transport captured CO₂ to storage or utilisation sites, using a proven and reliable technology.
Gas pipelines
Natural gas is provided as a raw material for some industries that produce molecules like Hydrogen (H₂), or as a source of energy for heat and power generation.
Hydrogen production
Hydrogen is produced by steam methane reforming (SMR), a process that converts methane and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide is then converted with additional steam into more hydrogen and carbon dioxide. A carbon capture unit collects the generated CO₂ before it is released into the atmosphere.
Injection well
Injection wells channel CO₂ into deep geological formations, typically several kilometres below the surface, enabling safe and permanent storage.
Monitoring well
Monitoring wells track the movement and behaviour of injected CO₂ underground. They help ensure the CO₂ remains safely contained within the storage formation over time.
Power plant
A natural gas-fired power plant supplies electricity and heat to the industrial cluster. CO₂ emissions from combustion are captured and transported to an onshore storage site.
Deep saline aquifers
Saline aquifers are deep rock formations saturated with salty water unsuitable for potable use. They have a large storage capacity for CO₂ and are widely available.
Depleted oil or gas fields
Depleted oil and gas fields are underground geological formations that have previously produced hydrocarbons and have reached a stage where further economically viable extraction is no longer possible. Their known geology and existing infrastructure make them suitable for CO₂ storage.
Caprock
Caprock is a dense, impermeable layer of rock that seals CO₂ within the storage formation. It acts as a natural barrier that prevents CO₂ from migrating upward.
Storage formation
A storage formation is a porous and permeable geological rock layer where CO₂ can be injected and stored. The pores allow CO₂ to spread and to remain trapped underground.
Disclaimer: This animation is intended to demonstrate the carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain. The elements and icons shown of different processes are illustrative and may not accurately represent their real-life appearance
The history of ICM
Carl von Linde
Carl von Linde develops industrial gas separation, laying early foundations for separating CO₂.
First patents
The first patents for CO₂ separation technologies are issued.
First large-scale CO₂ injection
The first large-scale CO₂ injection takes place at SACROC in Texas, demonstrating the feasibility of underground injection.
Cesare Marchetti
Italian physicist Cesare Marchetti proposes capturing carbon dioxide from industrial sources and storing it permanently to address the greenhouse gas effect.
Sleipner begins operation
The Sleipner project begins operation in the North Sea, becoming the first CCS project designed specifically to mitigate climate change.
Carbon Management Europe
Founded as the Zero Emissions Platform (ZEP) with the support of the European Commission, Carbon Management Europe is established to unite stakeholders and accelerate CCS deployment in Europe.
CCS Directive
The European Union adopts the CCS Directive, establishing a legal framework for geological CO₂ storage.
Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is adopted, setting a global pathway towards net-zero emissions.
European Green Deal
The European Green Deal defines the EU’s objective of climate neutrality.
European Climate Law
The European Climate Law makes the EU’s climate-neutrality objective legally binding.
Porthos moves into delivery
Porthos, a major CO₂ transport and storage project in the European Union, moves into delivery.
Industrial Carbon Management Strategy
The European Commission adopts the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy, outlining a framework to scale CO₂ capture, transport, storage, utilisation and removals across Europe.
EU policy's impact on industrial carbon management
Establishing the policy framework
EU legislation defines how industrial carbon management is regulated, governed, and accounted for. It shapes how projects can move from planning to delivery.
Providing funding and investment support
EU programmes and financial instruments help de-risk early projects and infrastructure, enabling ICM solutions to scale beyond pilots and into wider deployment.
Enabling safe deployment across Europe
EU-level coordination supports consistent standards and cross-border alignment so industrial carbon management projects can operate safely, reliably, and at scale.
Frequently asked questions
How does industrial carbon management interact with renewables and electrification?
Is carbon dioxide storage safe?
Who pays for industrial carbon management, and what are the cost impacts?
How are emissions reductions and removals measured and accounted for?
Does carbon utilisation reduce emissions?
What does industrial carbon management mean for communities and the environment?
Learn more
2025: Europe’s carbon management moment? Takeaways from the ICM Summit.
Decoding the 2040 climate target proposal for industrial carbon management
