California-based materials technology company Fortera announced this week that it has secured $85 million in Series C funding to accelerate the launch of its low-carbon cement technology, ReCarb.
This funding round, which includes investments from Khosla Ventures, Temasek, Wollemi Capital, NOVA by Saint-Gobain, Presidio Ventures and Alumni Ventures, will support the expansion of Fortera’s technology, which can be integrated into existing cement production infrastructure.
ReCarb captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from traditional cement production and converts them into ready-to-use, low-carbon cement, providing a sustainable solution for a sector that is notoriously difficult to decarbonise.
This technology is designed to retrofit existing cement plants without the need for new infrastructure. It also operates at lower kiln temperatures and is compatible with renewable energy, further reducing emissions.
Fortera’s ReCarb plants are expected to mineralize 165,000 tons of CO2 annually and produce approximately 375,000 tons of low-carbon cement.
This process not only meets legal requirements but also achieves the same strength and durability as conventional cement, making it a viable alternative in the construction industry.
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Fortera’s innovative approach has received national recognition, being named the U.S. National Winner for Outstanding Projects at the 2023 Net-Zero Industries Awards and the Most Sustainable Product of 2024 by Green Builder Media.
CEO Ryan Gilliam emphasized the importance of global scalability to effectively impact emissions and said the latest funding will help Fortera move to the next phase of its commercial development.
Investors such as Wollemi Capital and Saint-Gobain have expressed their confidence in Fortera’s approach, highlighting its ability to integrate seamlessly into the existing cement industry ecosystem.
This compatibility and cost-effectiveness position Fortera as a pioneer in the development of CO2-free cement production.
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