Terra CO2 Closes $124M Series B to Decarbonize Concrete

A Novel Approach to Concrete Production: Terra CO2's Innovation

For thousands of years, concrete has served as a foundational building material. However, Terra CO2 proposes a refined method for its creation, a concept that has garnered significant investor interest.

Based in Golden, Colorado, the startup recently finalized a $124.5 million Series B funding round. This capital injection is intended to facilitate the market introduction of their low-carbon cement alternative.

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Cement

The production of cement, the binding agent in concrete, presents a substantial environmental challenge. The chemical processes involved in creating Portland cement, the most prevalent type, coupled with the reliance on fossil fuels, contribute approximately 8% of global carbon emissions.

Consequently, numerous startups are actively researching methods to achieve comparable structural integrity without the associated pollution. Terra CO2 is among these innovators, alongside companies like Furno, Sublime Systems, Partanna, and PHNX Materials, each pursuing unique solutions.

Terra CO2's Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM)

SCM represents a diverse category of materials designed to substitute Portland cement without compromising the desirable characteristics of concrete. Terra CO2’s approach involves heating silicate-rich rocks to their melting point, transforming them into a glassy powder.

This glassy material exhibits a similar reactivity to Portland cement, offering a viable and more sustainable alternative.

Expansion and Future Plans

The newly acquired funding will be allocated towards the construction of a large-scale production facility near Dallas. This facility will have an annual capacity of 240,000 tons of their supplementary cementitious material (SCM).

Key Investors and Partnerships

The funding round was jointly led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates’ investment firm), Eagle Materials, GenZero (backed by Temasek), and Just Climate (Al Gore’s investment fund).

Additional participants included Barclays Climate Ventures, Cemex, Prologis, and Siemens Financial Services, demonstrating broad industry support.

Performance and Future Development

Currently, Terra CO2’s SCM can replace up to 40% of the Portland cement typically used in concrete mixtures. The company is also developing a next-generation product aimed at completely eliminating the need for traditional cement.

Compared to Portland cement, Terra CO2’s SCM reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 70%, representing a significant step towards more sustainable construction practices.

• Key Technology: Utilizing silicate-containing rocks to create a low-carbon SCM.
• Carbon Reduction: A 70% decrease in CO₂ emissions compared to Portland cement.
• Future Goal: Complete displacement of traditional cement in concrete production.