Thailand Pilots First Mobile Carbon Capture in Cement Sector, Backed by Canada to Hit Net Zero 2050

For climate watchers, the hardest nut to crack in the industrial decarbonization puzzle is cement—responsible for up to 8% of global CO₂. Thailand’s new mobile carbon capture pilot, funded by Canada and executed with UNIDO, offers a tangible test of a technology that could unlock emission cuts from this intractable sector. Set against the country’s ambitious 2050 net zero cement roadmap, the initiative illustrates how international partnerships and sandbox‑style innovation are critical to moving from pledges to actual emission reductions.

Thailand's cement industry has taken a significant step toward decarbonization with the first deployment of a Mobile Carbon Capture Unit (MCCU), marking a critical milestone in the Thailand-Canada partnership aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) announced the pilot on August 3, 2026, under the 'Decarbonization of the Cement and Concrete Sectors in Thailand' project, funded by the Government of Canada through Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The MCCU, a compact and adaptable carbon capture technology, has been stationed at the Saraburi Sandbox—a designated low-carbon technology testbed in one of Thailand’s most industrialized provinces. This initiative unites industry players, government agencies, academic researchers, and global partners to evaluate the technology’s real‑world performance and accelerate the transition to a low‑carbon economy.

“

For climate watchers, the hardest nut to crack in the industrial decarbonization puzzle is cement—responsible for up to 8% of global CO₂.

Cement production is responsible for approximately 7–8% of global CO₂ emissions, making it one of the hardest-to-abate sectors. Emissions arise not only from fuel combustion but also from the calcination of limestone, a chemical process that releases CO₂ as an inherent byproduct. For Thailand, a country with a growing construction sector and ambitious infrastructure goals, addressing cement’s carbon footprint is essential to meeting its national climate commitments. The Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap, endorsed by TCMA, provides a strategic framework for reducing sectoral emissions through energy efficiency, alternative materials, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The MCCU pilot delivers the first hands-on validation of capture technology under local conditions, generating operational data that can inform future scale‑up decisions.

The international dimension of this project is notable. Canada, a global leader in carbon capture with flagship projects like Saskatchewan’s Boundary Dam, is providing funding and technical expertise. Ms. Richelle Bourgouin, Deputy Minister of Trade and Export Development for Saskatchewan, emphasized that the partnership leverages clean‑tech innovation and knowledge exchange to support a sustainable economic transition—positioning Saskatchewan’s expertise as an exportable asset. UNIDO’s role as implementer ensures adherence to international standards and facilitates capacity building, while TCMA acts as the central coordinating body, bridging the gap between government policy and industry action. Dr. Chana Poomee, Honourary Chairman of TCMA and President of the ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM), underscored that hard-to-abate sectors cannot achieve net zero in isolation: policy support, cross‑border technology transfer, and financial mechanisms are all indispensable.