Abstract: Several decarbonization strategies have been proposed for the cement sector including fuel switching (FS), carbon storage (CS), and carbon recycling (CR). FS and CS are expected in the short-term whereas CR is expected by 2050. Between the CR options, electrochemical reduction (ER) provides the opportunity to close the anthropogenic CO2 cycle producing chemicals while promoting industrial symbiosis (IS). However, it requires high penetration of renewables. This study evaluates three decarbonization scenarios emphasizing the IS benefits provided by ER. Since ER is at low TRL, we elucidate the prospects to ensure its environmental feasibility within the European cement sector. We analyze the prospects of ER performance to compete with FS, which is viable even under low TRL. However, ER cell energy efficiencies are higher than 50% and methanol concentrations higher than 40%wt. are needed to compete with CS. From the defossilization perspective CR exhibits a wider margin of opportunity to compete even with CS.

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