The scaling up of low-carbon cement production boosted by Microsoft investment

By Anders Lorenzen

The promise of producing low-carbon cement has received a significant boost after Microsoft invested in low-carbon pioneering technology.

Fortera, a start-up that promises to produce cement with a 70% lower carbon footprint through its ReAct trademarked technology, received the investment from the software giant as it moves to source low-carbon building materials and ramps up its datacenter needs due to the surging demand for its AI platforms.

Microsoft wants to scale the production of low-carbon cement

Microsoft say they’re keen on being part of growing the market supply of low-emissions cement and thus creating an early demand signal which contributes to scaling emerging low-carbon products.

The investment made through its Climate Innovation Fund (CIF) allows the US-based company to produce the Fortera ReAct.

The General Manager of Sustainability Markets and CIF at Microsoft, Brandon Middaugh, explained why the company invested in Fortera and what they hope it will achieve: “Corporate investment can assist in jumpstarting and scaling nascent markets like low-carbon cement. Our team was attracted to Fortera’s approach due to its potential for deep emission reductions, competitive cost targets, and its expected compatibility with existing production infrastructure.”

How does the Fortera ReAct technology work?

Fortera’s technology can be easily integrated with existing cement facilities without making any significant changes to a cement plant. 

Cement operations can keep its kilns, make most of its limestone, and fully leverage its established distribution networks when switching to ReAct.

Fortera’s technology transforms waste CO2 into productive feedstock, enabling plants to produce more from existing resources.

The company says this can be done without making production more expensive, adding that it has proven it can produce cement at cost parity with portland cement while reducing emissions by 70%.

Fortera’s flagship plant and a global pipeline

Fortera’s flagship Re-Carb plant in Redding, California, opened in 2024 and is a 15,000-tonne-per-year operation. It frequently delivers products for real-world commercial projects and is targeting a global commercial pipeline. 

In addition to Microsoft, Fortera signed a strategic partnership last month with industry leader Graymont.

“Microsoft’s collaboration with Fortera aligns with our goal to advance novel technologies to commercially available products,” the CEO of Fortera, Ryan Gilliam, said about the Microsoft deal. He added, “Across various sectors, Microsoft has played a catalytic role in overcoming market barriers to decarbonization. Their investment highlights the impact our full commercial-scale plant brings to the low-carbon building materials space.”

Cement and concrete, alongside steel, are considered heavy industry, which is challenging to decarbonise.

Anders Lorenzen is the founding Editor of A greener life, a greener world.

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