Literally unearthing a climate solution with Cody Finke of Brimstone | How I Built This with Guy Raz

Intro

In this episode of “How I Built This with Guy Raz,” host Guy Raz interviews Cody Finke, the founder of Brimstone. Brimstone is a company that aims to revolutionize the cement industry by finding a replacement for limestone, a major contributor to carbon emissions in cement production. Cody shares his journey of discovering a solution to the chemistry problem of cement production and discusses the economic viability and environmental impact of sustainable technologies.

Main Takeaways

Revolutionizing Cement Production

• Cement production emits almost as much carbon as cars do.
• Limestone, a main ingredient in cement, is a carbon sink and releases carbon when heated.
• Cody Finke founded Brimstone to find a replacement rock for limestone in concrete production.
• Brimstone’s rock replacement emits no carbon when heated.

The Chemistry Problem of Cement Production

• Cement production releases a lot of carbon into the atmosphere.
• Limestone is the main component of cement and the source of calcium.
• The heat used to extract calcium from limestone releases CO2 into the atmosphere.
• Cement production is a deliberate process that perturbs the global carbon cycle.
• Cody found a solution to the chemistry problem of cement production that doesn’t emit CO2.

Brimstone’s Approach and Impact

• Brimstone’s cement eliminates carbon emissions by using a novel material that doesn’t require limestone.
• Customers were hesitant to use a novel cement, so Brimstone changed their approach to create a cement that works like Portland cement but is not made of Portland cement.
• Brimstone aims to become a cement company using their unique process to make building materials in a zero-carbon way.
• Their process produces aluminum and iron, with the goal of decarbonizing all major emissions producing building materials.
• Brimstone has raised over $ and developed a carbon-negative process cement.

Summary

Revolutionizing Cement Production

Cement production is a major contributor to carbon emissions, with limestone being a key ingredient that releases carbon when heated. Cody Finke founded Brimstone to find a replacement for limestone in concrete production. Brimstone’s rock replacement emits no carbon when heated, offering a sustainable solution to the carbon emissions problem in cement production.

The Chemistry Problem of Cement Production

Limestone, the main component of cement, is the source of calcium. However, the heat used to extract calcium from limestone releases CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to carbon emissions. Cody Finke discovered a solution to this chemistry problem by developing a process that doesn’t emit CO2 during cement production. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the cement industry.

Brimstone’s Approach and Impact

Brimstone aims to revolutionize the cement industry by eliminating carbon emissions through their unique process. They have developed a cement that doesn’t require limestone, effectively reducing carbon emissions. Initially, customers were hesitant to adopt this novel cement, prompting Brimstone to change their approach and create a cement that works like Portland cement but is not made of Portland cement. With their carbon-negative process, Brimstone is working towards decarbonizing all major emissions producing building materials.

Conclusion

Brimstone’s innovative approach to cement production offers a promising solution to the carbon emissions problem in the construction industry. By finding a replacement for limestone and developing a carbon-negative process, Brimstone is leading the way towards a more sustainable future for cement production. With further advancements and scaling up, Brimstone’s technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the cement industry and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.