Edmonton cement plant’s carbon capture project on hold
Posted August 18, 2026 6:38 pm.
The plan was for a site to was to use cement to capture greenhouse gases in a process called carbon capture. But three years after the pilot, Heidelberg Materials is pausing the plan.
The site was supposed to capture a million tonnes of CO2 annually, the equivalent of emissions from 300 thousand cars.
But Heidelberg Materials confirmed to CityNews they are not moving forward with the $1.36 billion project at this time.
“Heidelberg Materials regularly reviews project requirements, external support needs, and resource allocations to ensure responsible stewardship of company resources and shareholder capital,” said Jeff Seig, the corporate communications director of Heidelberg Materials.
“I don’t think in my mind it comes as a big surprise,” said Rick Chalaturnyk, a geotechnical engineering professor at the University of Alberta.
One engineering professor believes the cost of supplies, as well as uncertainty around the federal price on carbon, are factors.
“I think they’re just looking for a little bit, probably more economic certainty around policy instruments, federal government and so on. Even provincial governments, but federal government regulations and the price of CO2, those are just put together,” said Chalaturnyk.
When the project was announced in 2023. It had support from the federal government.
A spokesperson told CityNews Tuesday they are working with alberta to create a long-term carbon price.
“In this moment of global uncertainty and transition, Canada is acting decisively, creating the conditions for both a resilient and sustainable economy in ways that are practical and effective,” said Keean Nembhard, the press secretary for the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, and Nature.
Councillor Keren Tang supported the project and is disappointed to see it on hold.
“Because it’s a fairly sizable industrial investment, it’s really important for the city, and I do hope that it will continue in some way. Maybe timing is an issue, but I hope that will be picked up,” said Tang.
But Chalaturnyk says while it is no longer the world’s first, it still has a future in the city and Canada’s greener initiative is still there.
“I don’t think any of that has changed, and so it’s just the economics of cement … it’s just all of those put together has probably led to the decision,” said Chalaturnyk.
No word on when the project will be finished, but the company says they are continuing to evaluate the project as part of their strategy.
