The manufacture of cement poses a significant threat to the climate, contributing substantially to climate change as buildings and infrastructure rely heavily on concrete. This challenge is exacerbated as global development continues to expand. Consequently, there has been a concerted effort to find solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of a material responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
A California-based startup has emerged with a promising technology aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions during cement production, offering a potential solution at a large scale. Fortera has developed a method to capture carbon dioxide exhaust from cement kilns and reintegrate it into the cement-making process. This innovative approach is being implemented at a CalPortland facility in Redding, California, one of the largest cement plants in the western United States, with operations commencing this Friday.
Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera, envisions their technology as a versatile solution applicable to various cement plants. Initially, the company aims to produce enough cement to blend with approximately one-fifth of CalPortland’s output, resulting in a 10% reduction in carbon emissions. There is a growing demand for even higher blends, reducing carbon emissions by 40-50%, and for a purer product with a remarkable 70% reduction in carbon.
The genesis of Fortera traces back to Calera, an earlier company pioneering the conversion of carbon dioxide into cement since 2007. Despite encountering financial challenges leading to closure in 2014, this knowledge formed the basis for Fortera’s establishment in 2019, spearheaded by Gilliam and former Calera employees.
A notable aspect of Fortera’s approach is its compatibility with existing cement plants, leveraging the industry’s infrastructure and materials. This presents an economically competitive option to swiftly address carbon emissions without requiring a complete overhaul of current industry practices.
Fortera’s initiative is just one of many endeavors aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of concrete. Various organizations and legislative measures worldwide are advocating for lower-carbon concrete standards. Efforts such as those by the American Institute of Architects, building codes in jurisdictions like Vancouver, and California’s legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the cement industry underscore the collective push towards sustainability.
Concrete’s pivotal role in modern society cannot be overstated, with its durability and strength underpinning essential infrastructure. While challenges remain in finding viable alternatives, initiatives like Fortera’s offer promising strides towards a more sustainable future, especially considering the exponential growth in cement consumption in regions like Southeast Asia and Africa.
The technology behind Fortera’s approach involves capturing carbon dioxide from cement kilns and converting it into a solid form, significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to conventional cement production methods. The resultant product, known as ReAct, is blended with other ingredients to produce concrete. While current industry standards limit the use of ReAct to a 15% blend in concrete, Fortera aims to secure approval for a 100% ReAct replacement for cement, although regulatory approval is expected to take over five years.
As cement manufacturing emissions pose an existential threat to the environment and the industry, it is imperative to adopt innovative solutions like Fortera’s to mitigate these impacts. While the United States has a crucial role to play in leading these efforts, global collaboration is essential, particularly in regions experiencing rapid industrialization, to address this pressing environmental challenge.