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

<p>Cement’s hidden CO₂ problem begins inside the rock itself.</p><p>Much of cement’s emissions does not come only from the fuel burned in a kiln. The CO₂ is chemically locked inside limestone.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>They explore:</p><p>• Why cleaner kiln fuel cannot solve cement’s full emissions problem<br>• How CURA captures CO₂ before the kiln<br>• The volcano experiment that makes the chemistry understandable<br>• CURA’s pathway from laboratory work to paid pilot and commercial deployment<br>• How carbon pricing is changing the economics of cement<br>• The northern Labrador experience that deepened Erin’s commitment to climate<br>• Why the cheapest option must also become the greenest option</p><p>CURA says its process could reduce cement-production emissions by up to 85% and manage the carbon at cost parity with conventional cement manufacturing.</p><p>But the final thought that stayed with Lydia was more personal.</p><p>Erin has six children, and they are already excited about the technology and the mission behind it.</p><p>As Erin put it:</p><p><strong>“The next generation is already on it.”</strong></p><p>Since this conversation was recorded, CURA has announced that its 5 kg/day mini-pilot is operational:<br><a href="https://curaclimate.com/press/curas-mini-pilot-is-operational" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://curaclimate.com/press/curas-mini-pilot-is-operational</a></p><p>Watch on YouTube:<br><a href="https://youtu.be/c-ggbzQILno" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://youtu.be/c-ggbzQILno</a></p><p>Learn more about CURA:<br><a href="https://curaclimate.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://curaclimate.com/</a></p><p>Explore Bite-Size Climate Tech:<br><a href="https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/bite-size-climate-tech" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/bite-size-climate-tech</a></p><p>Support Season 5:<br><a href="https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/bite-size-climate-tech/support" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://www.dayzeroproduction.com/bite-size-climate-tech/support</a></p><p>Figures, commercial claims, and deployment plans reflect CURA’s statements at the time of recording.</p><p>Selected visual explanations were created with AI-assisted animation and are intended as conceptual illustrations, not engineering schematics.</p>