A Bold Step Towards Decarbonizing Cement: Holcim and Sublime Systems Join Forces

In a significant leap towards greener construction, Holcim has invested in Sublime Systems, a startup revolutionizing the cement industry with low-carbon technology. This partnership marks a critical milestone in Holcim’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize building processes at a large scale, aligning with its ambitious sustainability targets for 2030 and beyond.

The collaboration not only expands Holcim’s portfolio of sustainable solutions but also helps to accelerate the deployment of Sublime Systems’ innovative technology.Holcim’s investment will support the construction of Sublime’s first commercial manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, set to produce 30,000 tons of low-carbon cement per year by 2026.

This investment comes with a substantial share of the produced Sublime Cement™ through a binding offtake reservation. Additionally, a dedicated project team from both companies will collaborate to co-develop larger-scale facilities, further scaling Sublime’s technology for global market deployment.

>> RELATED: Holcim Invests in Sublime Systems to Scale Up Innovative Low-carbon Technology

A Partnership Poised for Impact

The partnership between Holcim and Sublime Systems is poised to bring about meaningful changes in the construction industry. Nollaig Forrest, Chief Sustainability Officer at Holcim, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting how Sublime's technology could revolutionize the cement manufacturing process. “The Sublime Systems team has developed a unique technology to decarbonize cement, cutting across the entire production process from the use of clean electricity to carbon-free raw materials,” said Forrest. “We are excited about this technology’s potential and are delighted to be partnering to bring it to market at scale.”

Dr. Leah Ellis, CEO and Co-Founder of Sublime Systems, also echoed this optimism. Ellis, in a statement, emphasized the critical importance of scale in the cement industry. “In the cement industry, scale is everything. We are proud to collaborate with Holcim who supports our mission of swift and massive impact,” she said. “By pairing Sublime’s technology with Holcim’s advanced global operations from manufacturing and logistics to commercial distribution, we can scale up our impact together.”

How Sublime Systems is Changing the Game

What sets Sublime Systems apart is its proprietary CO2-free electrochemical process, which significantly reduces carbon emissions in cement production. Instead of using fossil-fueled kilns or carbon-intensive limestone, Sublime’s process uses clean electricity and carbon-free raw materials, making it a truly sustainable solution. This innovation aligns with the global push for cleaner industrial processes and meets the stringent standards of ASTM C1157, ensuring Sublime Cement™ can serve as a drop-in replacement for ordinary Portland cement in concrete production.

Sublime Systems has also garnered attention from the U.S. Department of Energy, receiving an award from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). This recognition highlights the potential for Sublime’s technology to contribute to national and global decarbonization goals, a testament to the startup's pioneering approach to cement production.

>> In Other News: [x](x)

Holcim’s Commitment to Decarbonization

For Holcim, this investment is a part of its broader strategy to lead the charge in sustainable construction. The company boasts one of the industry’s broadest ranges of low-carbon technologies, from low-emission materials such as calcined clay and decarbonized cement paste to advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) systems. With its six CCUS projects under development, Holcim aims to produce 8 million tons of decarbonized cement annually by 2030, further cementing its role as a leader in the global transition to greener building solutions.

Holcim’s MAQER Ventures arm has been instrumental in scaling up cutting-edge technologies in the built environment by partnering with startups like Sublime Systems. By investing in forward-thinking companies, Holcim not only diversifies its product offerings but also strengthens its ability to meet its net-zero goals for 2030 and 2050, which have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Scaling Up for a Greener Future

This partnership between Holcim and Sublime Systems represents more than just an investment; it’s a step towards transforming the future of construction. As Sublime Systems builds its commercial facility in Massachusetts, its ability to scale will be bolstered by Holcim’s extensive resources, including its global supply chain and distribution network. By working together, the two companies are well-positioned to not only meet the growing demand for low-carbon cement but also set new standards for sustainability in the industry.

The world is rapidly moving towards decarbonization, and the construction sector is a key area where impactful changes can make a difference. With Sublime Systems’ innovative technology and Holcim’s commitment to reducing emissions, the future of cement production is looking greener than ever.

“By leveraging Sublime’s groundbreaking technology, we can make substantial progress toward decarbonizing the construction industry at a large scale,” said Nollaig Forrest. “This partnership will help us deliver on our promise to build a net-zero future, ensuring that the buildings we create today are aligned with the sustainability goals of tomorrow.”

As the demand for low-carbon solutions continues to grow, companies like Holcim and Sublime Systems are leading the charge. Their collaboration not only promises to reduce the environmental impact of construction but also provides a scalable model that other industries can follow.

Paving the Way for Innovation in Cement Production

Innovation is at the heart of this partnership. Sublime Systems' electrochemical process offers a transformative alternative to traditional cement manufacturing, which has remained relatively unchanged for decades. By eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels and carbon-intensive materials, this new approach significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with cement, a material responsible for nearly 8% of global carbon emissions.

As Sublime Systems moves closer to commercial-scale production, the collaboration with Holcim ensures that this technology reaches markets quickly and efficiently. The first commercial facility in Massachusetts is just the beginning. By combining Sublime’s innovation with Holcim’s extensive operational capabilities, the future of sustainable cement production looks bright.

This partnership exemplifies how established companies can work with innovative startups to bring cutting-edge solutions to the market, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the construction industry. The world is watching as Holcim and Sublime Systems lead the way in low-carbon cement production, setting a powerful example for others to follow.