INEOS has commenced construction on the carbon dioxide (CO2) transit terminal for Project Greensand at Port Esbjerg, signaling a significant step forward in Europe’s climate action strategy. Once complete, the facility will become the EU’s first logistics hub dedicated to CO2 capture and permanent storage, managed by INEOS Energy on behalf of the Greensand consortium.

The terminal, expected to be completed by autumn 2025, is a key component of Denmark’s strategy to become a leader in carbon capture and storage (CCS). The facility will temporarily store liquefied CO2 collected from multiple Danish biogas plants. The captured CO2 will be transported by truck to Port Esbjerg, where it will be held in tanks before being shipped to the North Sea.

Once full, the CO2 will be loaded onto a dedicated carrier vessel operated by Royal Wagenborg. From there, it will be transported to the INEOS-operated Nini platform in the Danish North Sea and injected into underground reservoirs approximately 1,800 meters beneath the seabed for permanent storage.

INEOS, along with partners Harbour Energy and Nordsøfonden, made the final investment decision in December 2024 to launch the commercial phase of the Greensand project. This phase is backed by an investment exceeding DKK 1 billion and will significantly scale up the project’s CCS capabilities.

Greensand aims to begin offshore CO2 injection by late 2025 or early 2026, positioning it as the first fully operational CO2 storage project in the EU. The initiative directly supports the European Commission’s estimate that by 2040, the bloc will need to store 250 million tonnes of CO2 annually to meet its Paris Agreement commitments.

The economic implications for Denmark are substantial. Analysts project that capturing just 5% of Europe’s CCS market could create up to 9,000 jobs and add as much as DKK 50 billion to the national economy. “Port of Esbjerg already plays a pivotal role in the green transition,” said Mads Gade. “With this terminal, it is set to become a central hub for CO2 logistics in Europe.”

Dennis Jul Pedersen echoed the sentiment, adding, “This is one of the world’s most advanced CCS projects. By leveraging Denmark’s ideal North Sea geology, Esbjerg can help meet Europe's growing CO2 storage needs.”

INEOS is a global leader in the production of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and oil products. Over the past 25 years, the company has expanded its operations to 183 sites across 26 countries, employing more than 26,000 people worldwide. In Denmark, INEOS Energy operates the Siri field area, as well as the South Arne and Solsort fields. The company also leads Project Greensand, Denmark’s flagship carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 and permanently storing it in depleted oil and gas reservoirs beneath the North Sea.