CCUS market opportunities in Germany

Germany is emerging as a significant market for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), driven by new legislation, EU climate policy and the decarbonisation needs of hard‑to‑abate industries. This study assesses how Scottish companies can position themselves to access CCUS related opportunities across the value chain. The report provides a detailed overview of the German CCUS market, including the regulatory and funding environment, the current and planned project pipeline and where Scottish capabilities align with market demand.

What the study covers

The study examines CCUS opportunities for Scottish companies across the full value chain, with a particular focus on the period to 2035. It covers:

• The enabling environment for CCUS in Germany, including recent legislative changes and remaining regulatory barriers
• An overview of existing and planned CCUS projects, including capture, transport, utilisation and storage
• Assessment of market maturity and relevance across value chain segments
• Identification of short, medium and long term supply chain opportunities
• A gap‑fit analysis aligning German demand with Scottish capabilities
• Strategic recommendations for Scottish Enterprise and partners to support market entry and growth

The analysis is informed by desk research, interviews with German CCUS stakeholders and a workshop with Scottish supply chain companies.

Germany is moving from policy to projects: Recent approval of the Carbon Dioxide Storage and Transport Act has created a clear legal framework for commercial CCUS deployment. Around 18 projects are already identified with several capture projects expected to reach operation from 2026 onwards.

Carbon capture and transport offer the strongest near‑term opportunities: Capture is the most mature and relevant segment of the German CCUS value chain, particularly in cement, lime, and waste‑to‑energy. Until pipelines are developed, transport by rail, ship and inland waterways will be essential, creating demand for specialist equipment and engineering services.

Permanent CO₂ storage is likely to be international: Germany is expected to rely on storage sites in countries such as Norway, Denmark and the UK. This creates longer‑term opportunities linked to storage capacity, offshore engineering expertise and cross‑border CCS value chains.

Scottish capabilities align well with German demand: Scottish companies are well positioned in areas such as

• Engineering and construction for CCUS facilities
• Manufacture and assembly of large capture equipment
• Rail and maritime transport solutions
• Offshore storage development and subsurface expertise
• CO₂ pipeline design, monitoring and control systems

Active engagement will be critical for companies seeking to enter the market. The German CCUS market is EPC and developer led, with procurement heavily influenced at early project stages. Relationship building, targeted engagement and strong reference projects will be key to success.

Who should read this? 

This report will be of particular interest to:

Scottish supply‑chain companies already active in or looking to enter CCUS markets

• Engineering, manufacturing and specialist service companies supporting net zero infrastructure
• Ports, logistics and transport solution providers
• Policy makers and organisations supporting internationalisation and energy transition
• Investors and developers active in European CCUS value chains

Scottish Enterprise can support companies by:

• Providing targeted market intelligence on German CCUS developments
• Facilitating structured engagement with German developers, EPCs and operators
• Promoting Scottish CCUS supply chain capabilities where they offer clear competitive advantage
• Supporting consortium building and cross‑border partnership development
• Engaging with policy counterparts to help address system‑level barriers affecting cross‑border CCS

Get in touch

If you are interested in exploring CCUS opportunities in Germany or would like to discuss how Scottish Enterprise can support your international growth ambitions, please contact your local Scottish Enterprise or Scottish Development International adviser.