This cement startup claims to surpass net zero to achieve true zero carbon emissions.

• Sublime Systems uses chemicals instead of heat and other minerals instead of limestone.
• Climate-forward companies, such as WS Development in Boston, are willing to pay the higher cost of new technologies.
• The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded Sublime $87 million to cover half the cost of its first commercial plant in the state.

The production of cement, a common ingredient in concrete, is not environmentally friendly.

The cement production industry globally contributes approximately 8% of annual carbon emissions. This is mainly due to the process of heating limestone, a carbonate rock, in fossil fuel-fired kilns, which results in a significant amount of CO2 emissions.

The global cement industry, worth $410 billion, is being decarbonized by scientists who are developing new production methods. Startups such as Brimstone, Fortera, and Massachusetts-based Sublime Systems are implementing these new techniques.

Sublime Systems' process avoids all CO2 emissions, both from fossil fuels and limestone, as stated by CEO Leah Ellis.

Sublime uses chemicals instead of heat and other minerals instead of limestone.

Ellis explained that by decomposing minerals at ambient temperature through electrochemistry, we can utilize minerals containing calcium for cement production, which sets us apart from net zero to true zero.

The construction of One Boston Wharf Road, the largest net zero office building in the city, is being undertaken by WS Development in Boston. The company is willing to pay the higher cost of the new technology despite its expense. Sublime cement is being used in the ground floor public space of the building.

WS Development's senior vice president, Yanni Tsipis, stated that individuals who frequent the building on a daily basis will have the opportunity to engage with the product and gain insights into a net zero carbon future in the built environment.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded Sublime $87 million to cover half the cost of its first commercial plant in the state.

The venture capital backers of this company include Lower Carbon Capital, Engine Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, Prime Impact Fund, Siam Cement Group, and MCJ Collective. It has raised $45 million in funding to date.

Sublime Systems has undergone extensive testing on the durability of their product and anticipates being competitive with traditional Portland cement at scale. Once the new plant is operational, it is expected to produce 30,000 tons of clean cement annually. In comparison, the U.S. produces about 90 million tons of cement annually.

Ellis stated that the process they are implementing is unique and they are competing with technologies that have been scaled to a million tons per year for many years. Initially, like solar panels and wind turbines, they will have a higher cost, but their aim is to have a significant and rapid impact.

CNBC producer Lisa Rizzolo contributed to this piece.