Microsoft backs Fortera for greener data centres

Microsoft has announced a new investment in Fortera, a green cement manufacturer based in California, alongside an agreement to procure low-carbon cement from the company. This move forms part of the tech giant’s broader strategy to advance technologies aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of its datacenters and promoting sustainable materials in the market.

Cement production is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 8% of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. The sector remains one of the more challenging to decarbonise, with over 900 kg of CO2 emitted for every 1,000 kg of material produced.

Founded in 2019, Fortera focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of cement through innovative methods that transform waste CO2 into feedstock. This process allows plants to produce more from existing resources. The company’s “ReCarb” technology reportedly reduces CO2 emissions by 70% compared to ordinary portland cement (OPC) and can integrate with existing cement facilities, enabling producers to retain their kilns and distribution networks while maintaining cost parity with OPC.

Fortera currently operates a 15,000-ton-per-year facility. The investment from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund will aid the construction of a full-scale 400,000-ton-per-year commercial facility.

Ryan Gilliam, CEO of Fortera, stated that Microsoft’s collaboration aligns with their goal to bring novel technologies to market. He noted that Microsoft has played a catalytic role in overcoming market barriers to decarbonisation, and their investment underscores the impact that Fortera’s full commercial-scale plant can have on the low-carbon building materials sector.

This investment is part of a series of initiatives by Microsoft to address the carbon footprint of its data centres and promote sustainable materials. It follows recent agreements for low-carbon cement with Sublime Systems and green steel with Swedish startup Stegra. Last year, Microsoft announced plans to use wood in datacentre construction to replace steel and concrete, and updated contract language to include low-carbon requirements for materials and equipment. The company has also invested in low-carbon building materials technologies and developers like Boston Metal, CarbonCure, and Prometheus Materials through the CIF fund.

Brandon Middaugh, General Manager of Sustainability Markets & Climate Innovation Fund at Microsoft, highlighted the company’s long-term investments aimed at achieving its 2030 carbon negative goals. He emphasised the role of corporate investment in jumpstarting and scaling emerging markets like low-carbon cement, noting Fortera’s potential for deep emission reductions, competitive cost targets, and compatibility with existing production infrastructure.