A new collaboration between the University of Regina and the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is set to trial carbon capture technology in one of the world’s most emissions-intensive industries. The initiative brings Canadian-developed innovation to Thailand, where efforts to curb industrial carbon output are gaining momentum.
Cement manufacturing is responsible for roughly seven percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, making it a key target for decarbonization. To tackle this challenge, researchers at the University of Regina’s Clean Energy Technologies Research Institute have developed a pilot-scale carbon capture unit.
The system was funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada and commissioned through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, reflecting growing international support for scalable climate technologies.
The pilot unit is expected to arrive in Thailand in early April, where it will be deployed in real-world operating conditions. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) within active cement production processes, an environment where emissions are both process- and energy-related.
Scaling Solutions for Hard-to-Abate Sectors
Project stakeholders see the initiative as a step toward enabling Thailand’s cement industry to meet its net-zero target by 2050. The sector has historically faced limited options for deep emissions cuts, increasing the importance of technologies that can be integrated without disrupting production.
Leadership at the research institute highlighted the university’s track record in carbon capture innovation as a key factor in securing the partnership. The project underscores how regionally developed technologies can be applied globally, particularly in sectors where decarbonization pathways remain complex.
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The collaboration also builds on a broader agreement signed last year between the Government of Saskatchewan and TCMA, aimed at strengthening technical cooperation and knowledge exchange.
As part of ongoing engagement, University of Regina President Jeff Keshen recently visited Thailand to reinforce the partnership and position the project as a model for international research collaboration.
By combining academic expertise with industry deployment, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between pilot innovation and large-scale emissions reduction in heavy industry.
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