On October 1st, leaders committed to reducing global CO2 emissions through low-carbon cement gathered to celebrate the first commercial installation of Sublime Systems’ technology. The event took place at One Boston Wharf, part of Boston’s Seaport development, featuring the city’s largest net-zero-carbon office building, completed by WS Development. A notable highlight was the unveiling of the first sidewalk made with Sublime Cement™, following its earlier use in the building’s concrete lobby.
The ribbon-cutting event brought together local, state, and federal officials, along with executives from union labor and the construction industry. Amazon, which leased the entire office space at One Boston Wharf, now occupies over 1 million square feet in the Seaport development. One Boston Wharf is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% compared to code requirements, cutting 5.1 million pounds of CO2 emissions annually.
Founded in 2020, Sublime Systems is pioneering “true zero” cement manufacturing technology. Their electrochemical process operates at near-ambient temperatures, using clean electricity and carbon-free inputs to produce reactive cementitious materials, avoiding the emissions typical of portland cement production.
Speakers at the event underscored the importance of low-carbon cement in tackling the climate crisis. They emphasized the need for government support, as the public sector consumes over 50% of cement in the U.S., and praised the leadership of Massachusetts in climate tech innovation. The event also highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies that are enabling the transition to a clean economy.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised the state’s leadership in decarbonization, noting, “Low-carbon cement will help us decarbonize our economy, and today, that transformation is beginning in Massachusetts.” Robin Carnahan, Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), emphasized the federal government’s purchasing power in driving demand for sustainable materials.
The event also showcased Sublime’s future manufacturing plant in Holyoke, Massachusetts, which will receive up to $87 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to further scale their technology. Congressman Richard Neal and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley highlighted the importance of environmental justice and federal investment in clean energy innovations.
Dr. Leah Ellis, CEO and Co-Founder of Sublime Systems, celebrated the success of their first commercial deployment, noting partnerships with Vineyard Wind, Microsoft, and major global cement companies. The event closed with calls for continued collaboration between government, private industry, and labor to accelerate the use of sustainable materials like low-carbon cement in construction.
