July 11, 2025 [Pipeline Technology Journal]- Sumitomo Corporation, a major Japanese trading company, is injecting new capital into the development of a crucial carbon dioxide transport pipeline in the United Kingdom, a move designed to support the ambitious Peak Cluster Carbon Capture project.

Announced on Tuesday, July 8, the investment, made through Sumitomo’s wholly-owned UK subsidiary, Summit Energy Evolution Limited (SEEL), aims to accelerate the decarbonization of the UK’s vital cement and lime industries.

The Peak Cluster project targets four plants in and around the Peak District, which collectively account for 40% of the UK’s domestic cement and lime production.

These sectors are critical for construction, manufacturing and environmental protection but are notoriously difficult to decarbonize due to high process emissions.

With the world’s economies looking for ways of reducing industrial carbon footprint, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has emerged as one of the cost-effective ways high-emission industries can minimize their CO2 emissions without affecting their operations. And the UK cement and lime industry is looking to use it to meet its climate goals.

SEEL, through its joint venture Progressive Energy Peak Limited, will make an equity investment into Peak Cluster Limited, the company overseeing the CO2 transport pipeline, alongside the UK government’s National Wealth Fund investment.

Combined, the pipeline project anticipates receiving a total investment of £59.6 million (approximately $75.5 million), with a final investment decision targeted as early as 2028. This funding will cover front-end engineering and design (FEED) work and other studies necessary for regulatory approval.

Once operational, the new onshore pipeline will transport an estimated 3 million tons of CO2 annually from industrial sites to the East Irish Sea, where it will be permanently stored deep under the seabed as part of the Morecambe Net Zero project.

The Peak Cluster is expected to significantly contribute to the UK government’s goal of capturing 50 million tons of CO2 annually by 2035, while also securing and creating an estimated 13,000 jobs.