Advanced materials manufacturer Fortera has secured $85 million in Series C funding to scale its low-carbon cement technology that seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure. This funding round saw participation from returning investors Khosla Ventures and Temasek, along with new investments from Wollemi Capital, NOVA by Saint-Gobain, Presidio Ventures, and Alumni Ventures. With operations at its Redding ReCarb Plant already underway, Fortera is set to advance the development of additional facilities to produce its ReAct® green cement, which boasts 70% less carbon dioxide (CO2) per ton compared to traditional cement.
Ryan Gilliam, CEO and co-founder of Fortera said, “With the launch of our first plant and the close of this funding round, we’re entering into the next phase of our development as a commercial project company to accelerate low- to zero-carbon cement deployment. It’s vital to have the financial means to put operations in place to commercialize our technology, and we are honored to have the backing and expertise of some of the most knowledgeable investment firms in project finance and the cement and concrete industry as we carve the path to zero CO2 cement.”
Fortera’s ReCarb process attaches to existing cement manufacturing plants, capturing industrial CO2 emissions and converting them into a mineral form to create low-carbon cement. Since this process is designed to integrate into current infrastructure, including feedstocks, capital investments, logistics, and sales networks, the path to large-scale commercialisation is both quicker and more cost-effective. Fortera’s technology operates at significantly lower kiln temperatures and is compatible with renewable energy, further reducing emissions and enabling zero CO2 cement production.
Natalie Volpe, Director at Wollemi Capital said, “Fortera does what previous green cement technologies have failed to do—it works with cement companies to provide an accessible solution to a cleaner industry. The compatibility with today’s ecosystem makes us confident that Fortera’s process is the most effective technology to decarbonise cement and achieve meaningful climate impact more quickly. We are pleased to bring Wollemi’s expertise in financing next-generation infrastructure projects to support the development of future plants.”
Fortera’s ReAct cement, a unique calcium carbonate material created from mineralized industrial CO2, matches the strength and durability of conventional cement. It meets current regulatory standards and is ASTM-approved as a partial cement substitute. ReAct can be used independently or blended with traditional cement, lowering the carbon footprint of construction projects while maintaining strength and improving workability.
“Our investment in Fortera aligns with Saint-Gobain’s priority toward the decarbonization of industries and our commitment to working with startups that are moving the world forward with sustainable innovations,” said Basma Kharrat, Vice President, External Venturing, Saint-Gobain.