Can Cement Be Made With 85% Less CO₂ at the Same Cost? | Erin Bobicki, CURA

Cement’s hidden CO₂ problem begins inside the rock itself.Much of cement’s emissions does not come only from the fuel burned in a kiln. The CO₂ is chemically locked inside limestone.Dr. Erin R. Bobicki, co-founder and CEO of CURA, joins Lydia Chen to explain how the company aims to separate that CO₂ before the limestone enters the cement kiln.Using the familiar reaction between vinegar and chalk, Erin breaks down CURA’s electrochemical pre-calcination process: electricity produces acid and base, the acid releases a concentrated stream of CO₂ from limestone, and the remaining calcium can still be used to make cement.They explore:• Why cleaner kiln fuel cannot solve cement’s full emissions problem• How CURA captures CO₂ before the kiln• The volcano experiment that makes the chemistry understandable• CURA’s pathway from laboratory work to paid pilot and commercial deployment• How carbon pricing is changing the economics of cement• The northern Labrador experience that deepened Erin’s commitment to climate• Why the cheapest option must also become the greenest optionCURA says its process could reduce cement-production emissions by up to 85% and manage the carbon at cost parity with conventional cement manufacturing.But the final thought that stayed with Lydia was more personal.Erin has six children, and they are already excited about the technology and the mission behind it.As Erin put it:“The next generation is already on it.”Since this conversation was recorded, CURA has announced that its 5 kg/day mini-pilot is operational:https://curaclimate.com/press/curas-mini-pilot-is-operationalWatch on YouTube:https://youtu.be/c-ggbzQILnoLearn more about CURA:https://curaclimate.com/Explore Bite-Size Climate Tech:https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/bite-size-climate-techSupport Season 5:https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/bite-size-climate-tech/supportFigures, commercial claims, and deployment plans reflect CURA’s statements at the time of recording.Selected visual explanations were created with AI-assisted animation and are intended as conceptual illustrations, not engineering schematics.