Low-carbon cement manufacturer Fortera is partnering with multinational Sumitomo Corporation to allow widespread distribution of Fortera’s carbon-reducing ReCarb technology in Asian markets. 

The two companies have agreed to a memorandum of understanding to focus on deploying Fortera’s bolt-on, low-carbon cement plants with some of Asia’s largest cement manufacturers. The Japanese market will be the partnership's initial focus, with multiple sites of interest identified.

Sumitomo's venture capital arm, Presidio Ventures, participated in Fortera’s series C fundraising round earlier this year. 

"We believe rapidly addressing the cement and concrete industry’s 8% contribution to global emissions is necessary to achieving climate goals," said Ryosuke Nagai, general manager of Industrial Material and System Strategic Business Unit at Sumitomo Corporation, in a statement. Nagai said that after visiting Fortera’s Redding, Calif., ReCarb plant and seeing the plant operating, Sumitomo wanted bring the carbon mitigation process to the Asian market. "We put a very high value on social and environmental responsibility, making Fortera a natural partner as we seek to aid decarbonization on a global scale," the statement added.

Fortera's ReCarb mineralization process uses a standard cement plant with added, proprietary systems to capture CO₂ emissions from kilns and convert them into the cementitious product. Tests have shown it can deliver a 60% to 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions per ton of material produced.

When paired with renewable energy, Fortera says it can achieve a zero CO₂ emissions cement production. The ReCarb technology leverages proprietary reactor-based mineralization, which use CO₂ as a feedstock. 

"This partnership is a pivotal moment for the future of sustainable cement production because you can’t make a meaningful impact on the industry’s carbon emissions without partnering with major industry players in Asia, which is home to the largest cement market in the world," said Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera, in a statement. "Because our technology meets the industry where it is, it can be deployed anywhere in the world using that region’s infrastructure, feedstocks, and supply chains. This partnership with Sumitomo will enable us to establish a strong foundation in Asia while we simultaneously solidify our domestic project pipeline."

ReAct green cement meets ASTM International standards and aligns with current regulations for concrete density and strength. It can be utilized independently as a clinker-free cement or blended with ordinary cement to improve strength and workability.