Prometheus Materials Secures $10M Grant for Carbon Reduction
This pivotal grant will fund the development of validation and best practices – including measurement, reporting and verification capabilities.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing $10 million in funding to their National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to collaborate with Prometheus Materials, and a distinguished team of partner institutions. Together, they aim to establish methods for measuring, reporting and verifying carbon dioxide (CO2) removal and sequestration in cement and concrete.
Expanding Leadership in Decarbonization
Through this initiative, Prometheus Materials is enhancing its role as a leader in the decarbonization of cement and concrete, which currently accounts for 8% of the world's annual CO2 emissions, releasing staggering amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere every day.
Project Goals and Collaborations
With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Technology Commercialization Fund administered by the DOE's Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), Prometheus Materials will collaborate with the project team to:
- Advance technical capabilities, adapting and improving state-of-the-art techniques to measure CO2 removal and accelerate new tools for carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
- Quantify net-carbon removed, establishing robust frameworks for cradle-to-grave life-cycle analysis.
- Enhance access to and understanding of data-driven models by developing user-friendly, interactive software for operation of measurement equipment and data analysis.
- Facilitate market transformation and build bankability via techno-economic analysis and workforce development, while also actively engaging with impacted communities, especially disadvantaged communities, to pinpoint and work toward positive impacts of new technologies.
Impact on Cement and Concrete Industry
While these objectives have broad applicability across the CDR industry and beyond, the project aims to specifically assess carbon-negative cement curing and mineralization for creating carbon-negative materials from waste and supplementary cementitious materials.
'We are honored to collaborate with the DOE, NREL, ORNL, LLNL and this project's esteemed partners on this important mission to enhance the innovation and impact of CO2 removal,' stated Prometheus Materials' President, CEO and Co-founder, Loren Burnett. 'This DOE initiative will drive CDR solutions toward wider-scale commercialization, benefiting both the business landscape and, most significantly, the climate of our shared world.'
About Prometheus Materials
Prometheus Materials delivers sustainable building materials, fast-tracking the world’s transition to a carbon-negative future. Inspired by nature, the company’s process utilizes microalgae in their ProZero™ line of carbon-negative supplemental blends for ready-mix applications, zero-carbon precast products, and licensed material solutions for existing concrete manufacturers. Learn more about how the company advances the decarbonization of the construction industry on their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the amount of the grant awarded to Prometheus Materials?
Prometheus Materials has secured a grant of $10 million from the U.S. Department of Energy.
What is the main objective of this grant project?
The main objective is to develop methods for measuring, reporting, and verifying carbon dioxide removal and sequestration in cement and concrete.
How does this initiative impact carbon emissions from cement?
This initiative aims to decarbonize cement production, which currently contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions.
Who are the partner institutions collaborating on this project?
The project collaborates with NREL, ORNL, and LLNL among others.
What innovative approaches will be developed through this grant?
Innovative approaches include new techniques for measuring CO2 removal and developing user-friendly software for data analysis.
