#67: The Path to a Green Cement Future

Jul 23, 2024

Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera, discusses green cement revolution, reducing carbon emissions in cement production. High school students' achievement in mathematics also highlighted, showcasing innovation and dedication.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Cement's Carbon Footprint

Cement production's large carbon footprint comes from its main ingredient, limestone.
Limestone releases CO2 when heated, accounting for about 60% of cement's emissions, with fuel combustion adding the other 40%.

INSIGHT

Cement's Importance

Concrete, made with cement, is the second most consumed material on Earth after water, with over 4 billion tons of cement produced annually.
Despite its environmental impact, cement remains a crucial building material due to its longevity and relatively low CO2 per ton compared to alternatives.

ANECDOTE

Forterra's Origin Story

Forterra's approach evolved from Calera, an earlier company that made cement from captured CO2 but struggled with economic viability.
Forterra learned to integrate with existing cement infrastructure, creating a cost-competitive, lower-carbon solution.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we dive deep into one of the most carbon-intensive industries on the planet: cement production. Cement is a crucial component of concrete, the second most consumed material on Earth after water, and its production accounts for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions.

Our host Lisa Ann is joined by Ryan Gilliam, CEO and co-founder of Fortera, a company at the forefront of the green cement revolution. Ryan shares his journey from a PhD in fuel cell design to becoming a leader in the clean tech industry. Fortera’s innovative technology transforms traditional cement production processes, significantly reducing carbon emissions while leveraging existing infrastructure.

Learn about the history of cement, its environmental impact, and how Fortera’s low-carbon cement solutions can potentially change the landscape of the industry.

Restoring our faith in humanity this week is the remarkable achievement of two high school seniors from New Orleans, Kelsey Johnson and Nakia Jackson. These students made a groundbreaking mathematical discovery by finding a new proof for the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry, a feat previously thought impossible by mathematicians for over 2000 years. This accomplishment not only showcases the immense potential of young minds but also serves as a testament to the power of dedication and innovation in overcoming long-standing academic challenges.

Key Topics:

Cement Production and Carbon Emissions: This episode discusses how traditional cement production is highly carbon-intensive, accounting for around 8% of global carbon emissions.
Fortera’s Low-Carbon Cement Technology: Ryan Gilliam explains Fortera’s innovative approach to reducing carbon emissions in cement production by using a technology that mimics natural processes.
Challenges in Scaling Green Cement: The conversation explores the difficulties and strategies involved in integrating Fortera's technology into existing cement production infrastructure.
Future of Sustainable Construction: The episode envisions a future where low-carbon cement solutions are widely adopted, significantly reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry.

Voices on The Show:

Ryan Gilliam, CEO and co-founder of Fortera
Linkedin

Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
LinkedIn: Lisa Ann Pinkerton
X - Lisa Ann Pinkerton
Instagram - @LisiAnni
Technica Communications
Women in Cleantech and Sustainability

Web Resources:

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…

Visit our website for more episodes!

We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!

Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our website

Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page.

Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:

Thanks to Resource Labs for having us on the network!