Fortera, a California startup, has developed a cutting-edge technology that captures and recycles carbon emissions from cement production. The company’s first commercial application will be implemented at a CalPortland facility in Redding, California, representing its first large-scale commercial application. Fortera’s technology is designed to capture carbon emissions during cement production and reintroduce them into the process, potentially reducing the industry’s significant carbon footprint.
The significance of this development lies in the fact that cement production is a major source of global carbon dioxide emissions, essential for modern infrastructure development but environmentally damaging. Efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of cement production currently include enhancing energy efficiency, utilizing alternative fuels such as waste and biomass, and creating innovative materials that can substitute traditional cement. In the United States, increased construction activity exposes workers to unregulated toxic substances, highlighting the urgency for innovative solutions like Fortera’s technology.
Fortera CEO Ryan Gilliam explained that their target is about being a ubiquitous solution that can work really at any plant. He showcased the company’s ambition to revolutionize the cement production industry by making it more sustainable and eco-friendly. Initially, production will combine the new low-carbon product with traditional materials with the goal of achieving a 10% reduction in carbon emissions while aiming to significantly increase this reduction over time.
