Low-carbon cement manufacturer Fortera is collaborating with multinational Sumitomo Corporation to enable widespread adoption of Fortera's carbon-reducing ReCarb technology in Asian markets.
The two companies have agreed to a memorandum of understanding to focus on deploying Fortera's low-carbon bolt-on cement plants to some of Asia's largest cement producers. The Japanese market will initially be the focus of the partnership, with several interesting locations identified.
Sumitomo's venture capital arm Presidio Ventures participated in Fortera's Series C funding round earlier this year.
“We believe that quickly addressing the cement and concrete industry’s 8 percent contribution to global emissions is necessary to achieve climate goals,” said Ryosuke Nagai, general manager of the Industrial Material and System Strategic Business Unit at Sumitomo Corporation , in a statement. Nagai said that after visiting Fortera's ReCarb plant in Redding, California, and seeing the plant in operation, Sumitomo wanted to bring the carbon abatement process to the Asian market. “We value social and environmental responsibility, making Fortera a natural partner in our quest to support decarbonization on a global scale,” the statement continued.
Fortera's ReCarb mineralization process utilizes a standard cement plant with additional proprietary CO capture systems2 emissions from kilns and convert them into the cementitious product. Tests have shown that it can produce a 60 to 70% reduction in CO2 emissions2 Emissions per tonne of material produced.
In combination with renewable energy, according to Fortera, zero CO emissions can be achieved2 Emissions from cement production. ReCarb technology uses proprietary reactor-based mineralization that utilizes CO2 as a starting material.
“This partnership is a pivotal moment for the future of sustainable cement production because without working with key industry players in Asia, home to the largest cement market in the world, you cannot have a significant impact on the industry's carbon emissions,” said Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera, said in a statement. “Because our technology meets the industry in which it is located, it can be deployed anywhere in the world using that region's infrastructure, raw materials and supply chains. This partnership with Sumitomo will allow us to build a strong foundation in Asia while solidifying our domestic project pipeline.”
ReAct green cement complies with ASTM International standards and meets current regulations for concrete density and strength. It can be used independently as clinker-free cement or mixed with ordinary cement to improve strength and workability.