During the traditional process of steel creation in blast furnaces, slag, a molten byproduct, is produced. This byproduct has gained recognition for its potential as an eco-friendlier alternative to cement in the composition of concrete, the most prevalent man-made substance on the planet. However, the shift towards more sustainable steel manufacturing methods is leading to logistical challenges in obtaining slag.
In efforts to adopt cleaner production techniques, steelmakers in both the U.S. and Europe are increasingly deploying electric arc furnaces (EAF), noted for their compact size, enhanced energy efficiency, and dependency on electricity rather than coal. Cocoon, a burgeoning startup, champions the notion that the journey towards eco-friendly steel production and the acquisition of concrete slag can be mutually inclusive.
Despite the environmental concerns linked to concrete production, the demand for this material continues to surge. In a standard concrete mix, cement constitutes merely 10-15%, yet it is responsible for approximately 90% of the emission footprint. Consequently, the quest for sustainable alternatives is perpetually ongoing. Cocoon is at the forefront of innovating “e-slag,” an environmentally-conscious byproduct of energy-efficient steel manufacturing, designed as a substitute for cement.
“The issue with using steel slag as a replacement for cement lies in its increased iron content, which hinders its ability to function as a cement-like material,” explains Eliot Brooks, co-founder and CEO, in a conversation with TechCrunch. “Our methodology involves a dual-step procedure aimed at reducing this high iron content, subsequently enhancing its functionality as a reactive cementitious substance.”
Cocoon is currently in the experimental stage, crafting a system designed to seamlessly align with prevailing steel production methodologies. This setup typically features slag pots positioned on rail systems or attached to trucks, which release the molten matter into expansive pits for cooling. The slag is then crushed and dispatched to cement manufacturers. Cocoon proposes a novel approach, employing a shipping container stationed within a pit to collect the molten slag directly from these vessels.
The organization has successfully secured $5.4 million in pre-seed funding, with contributions from Wireframe Ventures, Untitled, Gigascale Capital, and SOSV, a long-time supporter of Cocoon. Brooks, who juggles his duties with time spent at SOSV’s recently inaugurated HAX site in Newark, New Jersey, was present during TechCrunch’s visit in April.
This influx of funds is earmarked for the establishment of an R&D center in London, with prototype testing already underway at a northern English steel facility and another planned in the U.S. Brooks anticipates the integration of Cocoon’s technology into a pilot plant by the latter part of 2025.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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