Takeaways

• Croatia has committed €2.7 million (~$3.2 million) to advance carbon capture and storage (CCS) development.
• The funding will support geological studies, infrastructure planning, and early-stage project design.
• Multiple industrial CCS initiatives are emerging, positioning the country as a future regional carbon storage hub.

Croatia has taken a step forward in its climate strategy by allocating €2.7 million (around $3.2 million) to support the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The funding is part of the country’s national recovery and resilience plan, which the European Union backs.

The initiative is focused on understanding how much carbon dioxide (CO₂) the country can safely store underground. To achieve this, researchers will examine geological formations such as deep saline aquifers and other potential storage sites, both on land and offshore. These studies are considered essential for determining whether Croatia can build a reliable CCS network in the future.

A central element of the plan is a pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) study for a possible CO₂ storage facility at the Bockovac site. This early-stage assessment will help define technical requirements, costs, and feasibility, laying the groundwork for future investment decisions.

Read More: Inside the Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Boom: Global Market Insights 2025

Building the Foundation for CCS

Beyond geological exploration, the project also aims to develop digital tools and system designs needed for CCS infrastructure. This includes software that can model carbon storage systems and predict long-term performance. Authorities are also planning stakeholder engagement efforts to raise awareness and build support for CCS technologies.

The broader goal is to evaluate Croatia’s readiness to deploy CCS at scale. By developing both technical knowledge and public understanding, the country hopes to reduce risks associated with large infrastructure projects and attract private investment.

This funding comes at a time when CCS is gaining traction across Europe. Programs such as the EU Innovation Fund are providing additional financial backing to accelerate carbon management solutions. Croatia’s efforts align with these regional goals to cut emissions and support the transition to cleaner industries.

Growing Pipeline of Industrial Projects

Several CCS-related projects are already underway in the country. One of the most notable is the Holcim KOdeCO Net Zero project, which aims to capture emissions from cement production, one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize.

Other initiatives include planned carbon capture in fertilizer manufacturing and oil refining. In Našice, a cement plant is exploring CO₂ capture technologies, while projects in Sisak are looking at storing carbon in depleted gas fields linked to a biorefinery. There are also proposals to integrate CCS with ammonia production facilities.

Also Read: Future Energy Systems Center Funds Six Projects for Decarbonized Future

Together, these developments highlight a growing interest in CCS across multiple industries. Although still at an early stage, the combination of public funding and industrial participation signals a shift toward more structured carbon management efforts.

Estimates suggest that Croatia could store over 1.3 million tons of CO₂, making it a potential contributor to regional storage networks. As Europe looks to scale CCS to meet its climate targets, smaller countries like Croatia may play an important supporting role.

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Source: Carbon Herald