Sublime Systems Awarded $6.7 Million by DOE for Cement Decarbonization Technology

Sublime Systems, a pioneering company spun out of MIT, has been granted $6.7 million by the Department of Energy's Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office. This funding is aimed at supporting the advancement of Sublime Systems' innovative electrolyzer technology, which promises to revolutionize cement production by eliminating 90% of the carbon emissions typically associated with the process. Cement production is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions globally, second only to the emissions from China and the United States.

The core innovation of Sublime Systems lies in its ability to produce cement from a variety of non-carbonate raw materials, including industrial wastes and demolished concrete, through an electro-chemical process. This process not only significantly reduces CO2 emissions but also promotes circularity in the construction industry by utilizing waste materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Sublime Systems was selected among 49 projects to receive a total of $171 million in funding from the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office. The awarded project, titled "Advanced Electrolytic Cement Production Process for Lower-Energy Use with Alternative Calcium Sources," aims to scale Sublime's technology to process a broader range of industrial byproducts and wastes efficiently.

The company is currently constructing a pilot plant in Holyoke, Massachusetts, expected to begin operations in 2026. This project represents a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality in the cement and concrete industries, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional Portland cement.

Source: CleanTechnica