Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović and other honoured guests visited NEXE d.d. on the occassion of the inclusion of the CO₂NTESSA project in the List of Strategic Investment Projects of the Republic of Croatia
Našice, 26 October 2023 – The project CO2NTESSA – the largest project of NEXE Group has been included in the List of Strategic Investment Projects of the Republic of Croatia. This was announced today as part of the visit of Minister Davor Filipović to factory NEXE d.d. in Našice. On that occassion a working meeting was held in which, in addition to Minister Filipović and his associates, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Christian Hellbach, Head of Osijek-Baranja County Ivan Anušić, Mayor of the City of Našice Krešimir Kašuba, President of the Board of Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency Marijan Krpan, President of the Board of Plinacro Ivica Arar, Dean of the Faculty of Mining Geology and Petrolium Engineering Vladislav Brkić, NEXE d.d.'s partners in the project CO₂NTESSA Member of the Board Frank Ruoss and Business Development and Sales Director Philip Glörfeld from Thyssenkrupp and representatives of the Board of NEXE d.d. participated. At the meeting, in addition to current information related to the CO₂NTESSA project, other NEXE Group's projects aimed at decarbonization, green and energy transition of business were discussed. Project of using recycled construction waste was also presented.
The CO₂NTESSA project with estimated value of EUR 400 million is one of the largest planned investements in industry in Croatia. It is a project that implies modification of clinker production and production of cement without CO₂ emissions to atmosphere from 2029.
Expected effects of realization of this project such as introduction of new technology aimed at sustainable and cost-effective cement production with zero greenhouse gas emissions and potential for development of the first Croatian CCS system, which will enable development of the hub for transport and storage (Croatia GT CCS) in Croatia are the critera that most significantly contributed to declaration of the CO₂NTESSSA project as a project of strategic interest for the Republic of Croatia.
The CO₂NTESSA project is important for entire Slavonija, i.e. it represents an important segment in achieving the goals of the Slavonija, Baranja and Srijem project through which, through transfer and implementation of high technology, added value and significant positive social impact of the project will be created through the acquisition of new knowledge, employment and the stay of young people in Slavonija.
In addition to that, the project is aligned with strategic documents of the European Union and the Republic of Croatia, therefore its contribution to the achievement of the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy, European Green Plan, Low-Carbon Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia untill 2030 with a view to 2050 and National Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia untill 2030 is expected.
„Today, we are in Našice to provide full support to the CO₂NTESSA project, which is a project that will enable the long-term competitiveness of NEXE Group and also contribute to the decarbonization of Croatia and the whole of Europe. Namely, about 4% of all emissions in the EU come from the cement industry, and this is the right way to use modern technologies to make a big contribution to decarbonization. In September, the Government of the Republic of Croatia included this project in the List of Strategic Projects of the Government of Croatia due to its exceptional importance for achieving decarbonization and long-term competitiveness of this region, but also of Croatia as a whole. The Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency and Plinacro are actively involved in the implementation of this project. The support for this project is just another clear indicator that the Government of the Republic of Croatia with its continued work is influencing and creating a framework for a favorable investment climate, i.e. for establishing Croatia as an even stronger investment destination", said the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović.
“We are extremely proud and grateful that the Government of the Republic of Croatia recognized the potential of this project by including it in the List of of Strategic Investment Projects of the Republic of Croatia. The CO₂NTESSA project is one of the few in the EU that has an efficient solution for disposal of captured CO2 through a transport pipeline to the Bockovci-1 location, where CO2 will be injected in the deposit-saline aquifer and it will enable synergy with the GT CCS project, which includes the renovation of existing decommissioned pipeline to transport captured CO₂ from the NEXE cement factory and construction of infrastructure for CO₂ storage with potential to become a regional hub for CO₂ and important turning-point in the development of carbon capture and storage in Croatia and beyond. Implementation of this project opens up great opportunities for us as a company, but also the whole industry and economy and due to natural CO₂ storage possibilities that we have in Croatia. We have a great opportunity to become a future hub for CO₂ management in the wider region and thus influence an important segment in the realization of the European Unions's Green Transition Plan“, said the President of the Board of NEXE d.d. Ivan Ergović.
Strategic investment projects of the Republic of Croatia are regulated by the Law on Strategic Investment Projects of the Republic of Croatia, which entered into force in April 2018. The competent administrative body for application of the project in order to declare it a strategic project is the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. Strategic investment projects are enabled to be implemented faster while shortening the necessary administrative procedures. For each specific procedure, an exact deadline is prescribed for its implementation with the Operational Group providing support in all phases of implementation of the strategic project.
Let us remind you that NEXE d.d. presented the CO₂NTESSA project to the public in March this year when it was applied to the Innovation Fund, where, despite the challenging deadlines for its application, it was positively evaluated and a recommendation for technical support was obtained from the EIB. At NEXE they are satisfied because the Innovation Fund recognized the potential of this project, which, with the realization of recommended technical assistance could receive green light in the next phase, i.e. could receive funds for implementation.
