For the first time, the Innovation Fund will finance a large-scale Spanish cement project

Spain’s cement industry has reached a milestone in its decarbonisation journey. Mosusol-NetCO₂, led by Molins in collaboration with Enagás and Linde, with Zabala Innovation supporting the preparation of its application, has become the first large-scale project by a Spanish cement company to be selected for funding under the Innovation Fund, one of the EU’s main instruments for supporting innovative low-carbon technologies. The initiative is among those selected by the European Commission under the Net-Zero Technologies 2025 call and aims to capture and transport virtually all CO₂ emissions from a Molins plant in Catalonia.

“It is a source of immense pride to have supported a project of this scale,” says Adiran de Aguirre, a consultant in Zabala Innovation’s European Projects department. “Mosusol-NetCO₂ demonstrates that Spanish industry has the capacity to develop innovative solutions that can rank among Europe’s most ambitious decarbonisation initiatives,” he adds.

An industrial partnership for CO₂ capture and transport

The project will be implemented at the cement plant in Sant Vicenç dels Horts (Barcelona), where an industrial-scale carbon capture system will be installed, capable of capturing around one million tonnes of CO₂ per year, including the biogenic fraction. This will prevent approximately 97% of the CO₂ generated during the production of Portland cement clinker and calcium aluminate clinker from being released into the atmosphere, with the potential to avoid up to 1.1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, according to figures published by Molins and the European Commission.

The proposed solution combines an oxyfuel combustion process with an air separation unit and a cryogenic CO₂ treatment system. This technological integration will produce high-purity carbon dioxide for subsequent transport.

The initiative brings together three companies with complementary expertise. Molins will lead the development of the capture system at its plant; Enagás will be responsible for the CO₂ transport infrastructure; and Linde will provide the capture technology and the oxygen supply required for the oxyfuel combustion process.

Zabala Innovation’s support

The selection of Mosusol-NetCO₂ highlights the importance of preparing strong applications to access highly competitive European funding instruments such as the Innovation Fund. The programme is financed by revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), with its next calls for proposals expected to open in December.

“Drawing on its experience and track record in the Innovation Fund since the programme’s launch, our team has supported the project in preparing its application, helping to structure and present a proposal that effectively conveys both its robustness and its emissions reduction potential,” explains de Aguirre. He adds that “for projects of this scale, it is essential to align technological ambition with European funding requirements”.

Zabala Innovation’s track record in the Innovation Fund demonstrates the depth of this expertise. Since the programme was launched in 2020, the consultancy has helped secure more than €2 billion in funding for its clients’ projects, with successful applications across all the programme’s funding categories (Large, Medium, Small, Manufacturing, Pilot, Hydrogen Auction, Heat Auction and Batteries). In the 2025 call alone, projects supported by Zabala Innovation secured 15% of the €1.5 billion awarded to large-scale initiatives. The consultancy has also maintained a 25% success rate, having helped prepare more than 45 proposals since 2020. Of these, six have received over €100 million in funding each.

A step forward for European industry

The selection recognises the quality of the proposal and its potential contribution to the EU’s climate objectives. Mosusol-NetCO₂ has also been awarded the STEP Seal, a European distinction recognising the quality of initiatives aligned with the European Union’s strategic priorities.

Beyond its direct impact on emissions from the Sant Vicenç dels Horts plant, this project aims to lay the foundations for a regional carbon management chain that could help decarbonise other industrial activities.

“This result is particularly rewarding because it reflects the joint efforts of companies committed to transforming their industrial processes. For Zabala Innovation, helping initiatives such as Mosusol-NetCO₂ move towards implementation is a tangible way of supporting the transition to a more sustainable and competitive European industry,” concludes de Aguirre.