Limenet and Fassa Bortolo: an electric kiln to cut the CO2 of lime

Limenet and Fassa Bortolo together for the development of an electric kiln for the production of lime. The Lecco-based start-up focused on decarbonisation and the historic Treviso-based company active in the building materials sector announce the signing of a €5 million agreement (investment of 2.5 each) for the industrial co-development of the project.

The agreement follows a relationship solidified in December 2025, when Cdp Venture Capital and Fassa Bortolo invested EUR 7 million in Limenet (bringing the equity raising to EUR 9.5 million).

The aim of the collaboration is to develop within the next two years a commercial-scale electric kiln with a capacity of about 10 megawatts, capable of producing high-quality lime while significantly reducing the environmental impact of its production. In fact, the calcination process requires very high temperatures (1,500-1,800°C) and emits CO2 from two sources: the chemical reaction triggered by the heat that transforms the rock, causing the limestone to decompose, and the fossil fuels such as methane used so far to operate the kilns.

To produce one tonne of lime with traditional technologies," the companies explain in a note, "approximately 1.066 tonnes of CO₂ are generated: 0.79 from the chemical reaction (unavoidable) and 0.28 from the combustion of methane. With the innovation of the electric furnace, energy-related emissions will be cut almost completely, resulting in a total overall reduction of 22 per cent.

The next step could be CO2 capture and storage in a plant like the one already developed by Limenet in Augsburg in 2024 where carbon dioxide is converted into calcium bicarbonates and stored in seawater (a process in which lime is used, which is the link between the projects). At the moment, however, emission removal technologies remain very expensive, more so than the Ets credits that companies in this sector are obliged to buy to offset the CO2 produced.