SUNYA Energy

Fortera Secures Microsoft Funding for Low-Carbon Cement Production

September 30, 2025
SUNYA SUMMARY
- Microsoft has invested in Fortera to enhance the adoption of low-carbon building materials. - The investment supports the construction of Fortera's full-scale 400,000 ton-per-year commercial facility. - Microsoft secures procurement rights for Fortera’s ReAct low-carbon cement and environmental attribute certificates. - Fortera's technology integrates with existing cement infrastructure for rapid deployment. - The investment aligns with Microsoft's 2030 carbon negative goals and aims to stimulate the low-carbon cement market. - Fortera's ReCarb technology produces cement with 70% lower carbon dioxide emissions than ordinary cement while maintaining cost and performance. - The collaboration reflects Fortera's commercial growth and recent strategic partnerships. - Erik Urosa from Microsoft will join Fortera's board of directors as an observer. - Fortera is committed to revolutionizing the construction industry with sustainable cement solutions.
PRESS RELEASE
Fortera Secures Microsoft Funding for Low-Carbon Cement Production

Sep 23, 2025 6:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Strategic investment supports construction of Fortera's full-scale 400,000 ton-per-year commercial facility
Microsoft secures procurement rights for Fortera's ReAct™ low-carbon cement and environmental attribute certificates to reduce Scope 3 emissions
Fortera's bolt-on technology integrates with existing cement infrastructure for rapid deployment

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To accelerate the adoption of low-carbon building materials across its datacenter footprint, through its Climate Innovation Fund (CIF), Microsoft has made an investment in green cement manufacturer Fortera. The investment secures Microsoft’s rights to procure Fortera’s ReAct™ low-carbon cement and environmental attribute certificates (EACs).

Our team was attracted to Fortera’s approach due to its potential for deep emission reductions, competitive cost targets, and its expected compatibility with existing production infrastructure.Share

"We are making long-term investments that will help us achieve our 2030 carbon negative goals,” Brandon Middaugh, general manager of sustainability markets & Climate Innovation Fund at Microsoft said. “Corporate investment can assist in jumpstarting and scaling nascent markets like low-carbon cement. Our team was attracted to Fortera’s approach due to its potential for deep emission reductions, competitive cost targets, and its expected compatibility with existing production infrastructure.”

Microsoft seeks to grow the market supply of low-emissions cement and to create an early demand signal that helps scale novel low-carbon products industry-wide.

Fortera's ReCarb technology enables this progress by producing cement with 70% lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to ordinary portland cement (OPC), while maintaining near-term cost parity and performance standards. Fortera’s ReCarb technology integrates seamlessly with existing cement facilities, ensuring scalability without disrupting operating infrastructure.

"Microsoft's collaboration with Fortera aligns with our goal to advance novel technologies to commercially available products,” said Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera. “Across a range of sectors, Microsoft has played a catalytic role in overcoming market barriers to decarbonization. Their investment highlights the impact our full commercial-scale plant brings to the low-carbon building materials space.”

Erik Urosa, group manager of impact investments at Microsoft, will also join Fortera's board of directors as an observer.

The collaboration builds on Fortera's growing commercial traction, which includes the flagship ReCarb Plant in Redding, California, recent strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Graymont, and successful placements in real-world construction projects. For more information on how Fortera is paving the way to zero-CO2 cement production, visit forteraglobal.com.

About Fortera

Fortera is revolutionizing the global construction industry. The company's proprietary ReCarb® technology integrates seamlessly with existing cement facilities, ensuring that partners can keep their kilns, make the most of their limestone, and fully leverage their established distribution networks. Fortera's breakthrough approach transforms waste CO2 into productive feedstock, enabling plants to produce more from existing resources. The company has proven it can produce cement at cost parity with portland cement while reducing CO2 emissions by 70%. Fortera operates a 15,000-ton-per-year facility, regularly placing product in real-world commercial projects, and is executing on a global commercial pipeline. For more information on how Fortera delivers proven, cost-competitive, and deployable low-carbon cement technology worldwide, visit forteraglobal.com.



Contacts


Technica Communications for Fortera
Melanie Morris
fortera@technica.inc