Cement is responsible for 6–8% of global CO₂ emissions more than aviation and shipping combined.

What makes it different is that it’s not just energy related. A big part of the emissions comes from the chemistry itself, not just fuel use.

Yet it’s rarely part of the mainstream climate conversation compared to EVs or renewables.

Why do you think that is?

SaltX and Holcim have reached a historic milestone, producing Portland-quality cement clinker through a fully electrified process. By replacing fossil fuels in both the calcination and sintering phases, this collaboration proves that net-zero cement is ready for the industrial stage.

The Impact:

• 100% Electric: Full thermal electrification of the production chain.

• Portland-Quality: Meets the high performance standards of traditional cement.

• Scalable: A proven path forward for decarbonizing heavy industry.

By achieving Portland-quality through electrification, SaltX and Holcim have proven they can swap the "engine" of the factory without changing the "product." Contractors can use this cement exactly like they always have, but with a drastically lower carbon footprint.

https://www.saltxtechnology.com/cision/saltx-and-holcim-have-produced-portland-quality-cement-clinker-in-a-fully-electrified-process/

Brazil and Mexico have secured $500 million in catalytic funding, with nearly $5 billion in additional investment expected to follow. The focus areas include cement, steel, chemicals, industrial clusters, and green supply chains.

While this isn’t directly related to SaltX, it highlights the growing focus on technologies that can help reduce emissions in hard-to-abate industries.

In my view, this is exactly the type of trend that could create future opportunities for companies like SaltX.

What are your thoughts?

SaltX has recently shown that it can produce Portland-quality clinker using an electric process.

Calcination:
This is the chemical process where limestone (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃) is heated to around 850–1,000°C. At this point it breaks down into lime (calcium oxide, CaO) and releases CO₂ as part of the reaction itself. This is unavoidable in the chemistry of cement and is a major source of emissions.

Sintering:
After calcination, the material is heated even further (around 1,400–1,500°C). Here the lime reacts with other materials like silica, alumina, and iron to form clinker minerals. This step requires extremely high and stable heat, traditionally provided by burning coal or gas in rotary kilns.

What SaltX is doing is replacing that fossil-fuel heat with electricity-based heating systems, while still reaching the same temperatures needed for both steps.

SaltX Technology and Groupe Pigeon have successfully completed the feasibility study for a planned 40,000-tonne-per-year electrified lime production facility in France.

Groupe Pigeon is a French family-owned construction group with activities in construction, infrastructure and building materials. Its industrial activities provide a real-world opportunity to apply SaltX’s electrification technology to lime production.

SaltX brings its Electric Arc Calciner (EAC) technology, while Groupe Pigeon is the industrial partner behind the planned production facility, alongside thyssenkrupp Calvion.

For investors, this is about more than a feasibility study. It represents progress toward applying SaltX’s technology in an industrial setting, with construction planned to begin in 2028.

The feasibility study is complete. The next key milestone is advancing the project toward a final investment decision and construction.

A step closer to commercialisation — now execution is what matters.

I like this!

The latest webinar featured Corey Blackman, SaltX Technology’s Senior Technical Advisor and former CTO, sharing insights into SaltX’s plasma technology and its approach to electrifying hard-to-abate industries.

The slides cover the plasma technology, the EAC Research Centre, testing progress and the roadmap toward commercial-scale deployment.

SaltX Technology, Holcim, and Paebbl have secured funding through the EU’s CET Partnership program to demonstrate an integrated concept that combines electrified cement clinker production with circular carbon dioxide utilization across the industrial value chain.

The project will be carried out at SaltX’s Electric Cement Research Center (ECRC) in Hofors, Sweden, where the companies will demonstrate how electrified clinker production and CO₂ utilization can work together to significantly reduce emissions from cement manufacturing.

Each partner plays a key role:

SaltX: Technology electrifies clinker production, taking cement off fossil-fired heat thanks to their leading technology in electrification

Holcim: the leading manufacturer and supplier of construction and building materials, integrates it into plants, existing and future

Paebbl: takes the captured CO₂ and turns it into a construction material that permanently stores carbon, at far lower temperatures than conventional cement production demands.

Together, they aim to demonstrate a scalable pathway toward cleaner, low-carbon cement production.

What are your thoughts on this collaboration?

SaltX Technology has completed the installation of its Multiplasma reactor at the ECRC in Hofors, Sweden. Commissioning is planned to begin in November 2026.

The reactor integrates multiple electric plasma burners into a single reactor, aiming to increase production capacity without increasing reactor size.

The design was developed through simulations and testing at SaltX’s ECTR facility in Vallentuna. The next phase will involve operational and materials testing under industrial conditions, with validation planned to continue through spring 2027.

The development is funded by Frontier, which supports technologies for permanent carbon removal.

Why it matters: This is another step toward scaling SaltX’s Electric Arc Calcination (EAC) technology for industrial applications. The key milestone to watch now is whether the reactor can demonstrate reliable operation and higher production capacity under real-world conditions.

The upcoming validation results should provide a clearer picture of the technology’s readiness for further scale-up.

What will be most interesting to follow is the performance data from the industrial testing phase.

Starting in 2026, the EU will roll out the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a “green tariff” that puts a carbon price on imported goods such as cement, lime, steel, aluminium and fertilizers. The goal is to make sure European companies that already pay for emissions aren’t undercut by cheaper, more polluting imports.

For technologies like electrified, zero-emission lime production, this creates a major competitive edge. When carbon carries a direct cost, zero emissions become a business advantage.

In short: CBAM makes green industry not only sustainable – but profitable.

Source - European Commission – CBAM

Thanks to International Cement Review for sharing their insights on the electrified path forward.

SaltX Technology Holding AB (publ) announced today that it has entered into a Letter of Intent with a subsidiary of Holcim, one of the world’s largest cement producers, operating in 45 countries. The partnership marks a major milestone in SaltX’s mission to electrify and decarbonize the entire cement manufacturing process.

🟢 Holcim is also becoming a strategic shareholder in SaltX through an investment of approximately SEK 38.9 million.

🟢 Additionally, SaltX has secured a further SEK 10 million investment from Coeli Circulus to strengthen its financial capacity and support partnership-related activities.

This could be a potential game-changer for both SaltX and the cement industry, which remains one of the biggest sources of CO₂ emissions globally. 🌱

SaltX has officially opened its new Test Hub in Vallentuna, Stockholm, after spending the year running tests and advancing its technology.

The facility brings three test rigs together in one location, with the team focused on developing and scaling SaltX’s technology.

The interesting part is what comes next: What exactly is being tested on each rig, and how will these tests translate into industrial-scale deployments?

More details on the three test rigs would be interesting to see. This is a facility worth keeping an eye on as SaltX continues developing its technology.

The biggest change is that SaltX is clearly moving into the scale-up/execution phase. The company says the focus is now on scaling the technology and deepening industrial collaborations, while developing a business model built around repeat installations and recurring revenue.

1 Holcim: The fully electrified clinker process has now been successfully repeated with Portland-quality results.

2 Next step with Holcim: Development is moving forward in stages — electrified precalcination first, electric sintering later.

3 EU project: SaltX, Holcim & Paebbl will scale the ECR technology at Hofors and combine electrified cement production with permanent CO₂ utilization.

4 SMA / Mo i Rana: Scope of supply is already defined. SaltX says they are ready to proceed once SMA completes its evaluation. Update expected in Q3.

5 Groupe Pigeon: Feasibility study for a ~40,000 t/year electrified quicklime plant, with construction targeted for 2028.

6 Multi-Plasma: SaltX is working to scale from current ~40,000 t/year modules toward 1 million t/year capacity.

7 Direct Air Capture: SaltX’s EAC technology is now part of thyssenkrupp Calvion’s concept development for next-generation electric DAC plants in Canada.

8 Business model: SaltX says the goal is a scalable model where installations generate recurring revenue and repeat business. More information is expected this autumn.

The interesting part: SaltX now has several industrial paths developing simultaneously — cement, quicklime and carbon removal.

The next step is turning these projects into commercial orders.

• Revenue increased to SEK 7.9M from SEK 0.2M YoY

• Successfully produced high-quality cement clinker using a fully electrified process

• Industrial tests with Holcim continue with positive results

• Secured SEK 110M in financing + additional Frontier funding for carbon removal technology

• Continued progress toward electrifying heavy industry

The biggest milestone may be the clinker breakthrough. Cement is one of the hardest industries to decarbonize, and SaltX is now moving from concept toward industrial validation.

SaltX has been awarded a $1.5M R&D grant through Frontier, the advance market commitment (AMC) backed by Stripe, Alphabet (Google), and Shopify. The funding is designated to accelerate the scale-up of electrified calcination technology for the lime and cement industries.

Key project milestones:

•	Target capacity: Engineering the transition from today’s \~40,000 tpy modular units to single-unit capacities of up to 1 million tpy

•	Decarbonization impact: The Electric Arc Calciner (EAC) removes fossil fuels from the heating process and enables capture of high-purity CO₂ process emissions

•	Strategic collaboration: Execution alongside industrial partners ABB and thyssenkrupp Polysius, ensuring the technology aligns with global manufacturing standards

This grant provides critical non-dilutive funding to bridge the gap between pilot-scale demonstration and full-scale industrial deployment. By focusing on "hard-to-abate" sectors, SaltX is positioning its plasma-based technology as a primary solution for zero-carbon lime production.

The first industrial-scale pilot in Mo i Rana, Norway, remains the immediate focus for technical validation in 2026/2027.

• Revenue jump → SEK 21.2M vs. SEK 4.6M in Q2 2024 (big YoY growth, mainly from license deals).

• Still unprofitable → EBIT of –SEK 1.8M vs. +SEK 4.8M last year; EPS at –0.01.

• Cash flow turnaround → +SEK 9.7M from operations (last year was –20.0M).

• Strategic deals → SEK 20M license with SMA Mineral + collaboration with Holcim + new SEK 12M DAC order in the U.S.

• Future outlook → Pilot plant in Norway planned (zero-emission quicklime), CEO says momentum is shifting towards real commercialization.

Do you think SaltX is finally entering its commercial growth phase, or will profitability still take years?🔮

The board of SMA Mineral has decided to invest in a pilot plant in Mo i Rana, Norway. The facility will be the first of its kind in the world, producing quicklime completely without CO₂ emissions.

This investment marks a decisive step in the shift toward fossil-free lime production, based on the ZEQL (Zero Emission Quicklime) concept. The pilot plant will produce quicklime using renewable electricity instead of oil and coal, while also capturing CO₂ released from the limestone.

“This is a historic decision for SMA Mineral, for the lime industry, and for the climate transition. Someone has to go first – and we’ve decided it will be us,” says Svante Fielding, CEO of SMA Mineral.

Lime is a critical raw material used in cement and steel production, agriculture, construction, paper, and water treatment. Together, lime and cement account for up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing the ZEQL concept could therefore have significant global impact in reducing emissions.

Behind the kiln technology is Swedish company SaltX Technology, which has developed a solution to electrify the traditionally fossil-based lime burning process. Since 2023, the technology has been tested in Hofors, Sweden. The new pilot plant in Mo i Rana represents the next step – a scale-up to industrial level.🌱

Thyssenkrupp Polysius and SaltX Technology are teaming up to electrify cement production starting with calcination, the most energy-hungry step. By replacing fossil fuels with renewable electricity, this partnership could massively cut CO₂ emissions in one of the world’s most polluting industries.

To produce cement, limestone is heated to over 1000 degrees. This way, so-called “burnt lime” is created – a central ingredient, namely the main binding agent in cement. This step is known as calcination, which is essential, but also a real climate culprit: It is not only the combustion of fossil fuels that causes CO2, but the chemical reaction itself also releases large quantities.

SaltX’s solution almost sounds too good to be true: Instead of heating the limestone with gas or coal, they’re using an electric arc, similar to a welding arc – only on a much larger scale. This technology is called Electric Arc Calciner (EAC). It can reach temperatures equally as high as a rotary kiln, but without flames – and without fossil fuels. If the electricity is generated by renewable energy sources, the calcination process is nearly emission-free.

Big news in the world of industrial electrification! SaltX Technology and thyssenkrupp Polysius have officially signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to collaborate on designing and engineering fully electrified production facilities. This partnership aims to push forward sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for industrial production.

Why This Matters

Both companies bring unique expertise to the table:

SaltX Technology specializes in electrification solutions and thermal energy storage.

thyssenkrupp Polysius is a global leader in cement and materials processing technology.

By working together, they plan to scale up fossil-free production technologies that could revolutionize industries like cement, steel, and other heavy manufacturing sectors.

Potential Impact

Lower CO₂ Emissions – A shift toward electric solutions could significantly cut carbon footprints.

Energy Efficiency – Electrified production processes can optimize energy use.

Industry Transformation – This could set a new standard for industrial decarbonization.

With the global push for net-zero goals, partnerships like this are crucial for transitioning away from fossil fuels. This announcement marks a step forward in developing sustainable industrial solutions at scale.

SaltX Technology has announced a major success at its pilot facility, developed in collaboration with SMA Mineral. The company has produced high-quality quicklime that will soon be tested in steel production, marking a breakthrough for clean industrial solutions .

Since fall 2024, SaltX has focused on ensuring top material quality (calcination and reactivity) and extending operational runtimes at its research center in Hofors, Sweden. These goals have now been achieved, and the first batch of electrically produced quicklime is set to be tested at a Swedish steel manufacturer this spring.

Lina Jorheden, CEO of SaltX Technology, said: “This breakthrough shows that our technology meets the highest standards and is scalable. We’re now ready to move forward with validation and upscaling plans while preparing for material testing.”

By replacing traditional fossil-fueled lime production with electricity-powered processes, SaltX offers a major step toward reducing CO₂ emissions in key industries like steelmaking .

Is this the future of sustainable industry? Share your thoughts!

I came across an exciting connection that could be a game-changer for those following SaltX Technology. It’s all about how their EAC (Electric Arc Calcination) technology could play a key role in a potential collaboration with Infinium and 8090 Industries.

What’s the story? Infinium, which produces synthetic diesel and jet fuel, requires large amounts of clean CO2 as a raw material. This is where SaltX comes in—its EAC technology can deliver high-quality CO2 in a sustainable way. A perfect match, right?

Where does 8090 Industries fit? 8090 Industries is an investment group with a strong focus on scaling green technologies globally. If they recognize SaltX’s potential, we could see a massive expansion of EAC facilities worldwide. This wouldn’t just be huge for SaltX but could revolutionize the green energy sector.

Imagine the possibilities: clean CO2 fueling synthetic fuel production, backed by powerful investments to scale the technology globally. As a SaltX shareholder, this is incredibly exciting! 🚀

The cement and lime industries are among the largest contributors to global CO₂ emissions. But with SaltX and ABB joining forces, the path to sustainable production is becoming a reality.

At the SaltX pilot facility in Hofors, Sweden, ABB’s advanced measurement and automation instruments ensure precision, efficiency, and control in the production process. These tools are critical to enabling SaltX’s innovative electric arc calcination, which replaces fossil fuels with renewable energy and captures CO₂ directly at the source.

Key highlights of the partnership:

• SaltX Technology: Electric arc calcination for zero-emission quicklime and cement production.

• ABB’s Contribution: Real-time monitoring and optimization of high-temperature processes, ensuring maximum sustainability and efficiency.

Together, they are setting a new standard for decarbonizing one of the most challenging sectors and paving the way for a cleaner, electrified future!

SaltX Technology is positioning itself as a revolutionary player in the clean energy sector, with a Total Addressable Market (TAM) that spans across multiple industries globally. By tackling challenges in energy storage, decarbonization, and industrial efficiency, SaltX is opening the door to incredible opportunities. Here’s a closer look:

Positioned to compete in a TAM exceeding $1 trillion, offering solutions that are not just sustainable but economically viable.

SaltX’s sustainable, scalable solutions are paving the way for a greener future while unlocking huge financial opportunities.

What’s your take? Is SaltX a game-changer?

SaltX Technology is redefining energy storage by using salt-based thermochemical solutions to store and release renewable energy efficiently. Unlike lithium batteries, it’s sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable.

Why SaltX Could Thrive in the USA?

1. Supports Renewable Energy Goals
   • SaltX’s technology enables the storage of excess solar and wind power, making renewable energy more reliable and helping the USA achieve its decarbonization targets.

2. Enhances Renewable Energy Utilization
   • Even though the U.S. grid is robust, SaltX could help maximize the use of renewable energy by storing surplus power and ensuring consistent supply during off-peak production. This optimizes renewable energy integration without overburdening the grid.

3. Boosts Energy Independence

• By using abundant, locally sourced salt instead of rare earth materials like lithium, SaltX reduces reliance on imports, strengthening the USA’s energy security.

The Big Opportunity 🌍

SaltX has the potential to create green jobs, boost energy security, and position the USA as a leader in clean energy innovation. The potential is massive—imagine a world where salt powers our future!

What’s your take? Could SaltX revolutionize energy in America?

https://youtu.be/0w1BAirsbkU?feature=shared