Sources: Sublime Systems, Somerville, Mass.; CP staff
Sublime Systems is formalizing general contractor alliances to advance namesake, ASTM C1157-grade cement whose electrochemical processing yields carbon dioxide emissions sharply lower than portland cement production. Distribution Channel Partner program participants with will establish Sublime Deployment Ready teams to weigh novel procurement structures or other mechanisms securing Sublime Cement inclusion in project concrete schedules. With collective operations spanning every major U.S. region, inaugural Partners include Turner Construction Co., STO Building Group, DPR Construction, Suffolk Construction, Holder Construction, Consigli Construction, DOC, Samet Corp. and Metheun Construction.
The Distribution Channel Partner program augments a new long-term Sublime Cement purchase agreement with Microsoft Corp. The tech giant is eyeing low carbon alternatives to Type I/II portland cement or Type IL portland limestone cement for concrete-intensive data center developments. The agreement envisions output from a charter Sublime Cement operation in Holyoke, Mass. and subsequent facilities, all modeled on pilot equipment that has yielded material for testing and early commercial applications.
“This isn’t just about testing a new material—it’s about unlocking a new way to build. With the high volume of concrete used in advanced tech and manufacturing projects, evaluating low-carbon solutions like Sublime Cement is critical,” says DPR Construction Advanced Technology Core Market Leader John Vardaman. “Through our self-perform teams, we’re exploring its potential to meet performance demands and drive real, scalable change.”
Scaling innovations from cement lab to widespread use in the built environment requires thoughtful engagement of a complex, interconnected value chain, notes Sublime Systems CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Leah Ellis. The Distribution Channel Partner program leverages general contractors’ unique role in managing a range of disciplines and building consensus on the jobsite. Partners stand to spur Sublime Cement demand and position the alternative binder as an essential, made-in-America material for their construction project pipelines.
“We are the first general contractor to implement Sublime Cement in commercial applications,” says Turner Construction Vice President & General Manager Kent Kunkel. “We secured buy-in from our clients and trade partners through careful coordination and collaboration. Advancing the use of innovative and lower-carbon materials is directly aligned with Turner’s and our customers’ goals to reduce embodied carbon and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable built environment.”
“We’re engaging with Sublime Systems because their technology addresses one of the most urgent decarbonization challenges in our industry,” adds STO Building Group Vice President of Sustainability Jennifer Taranto. “By supporting the advancement of zero-carbon concrete, we aim to help accelerate the adoption of low-impact materials, align with our clients’ climate goals, and continue our commitment to building more sustainably.”
“With more than 146 years of experience delivering complex projects across institutional, commercial, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors, we’ve seen sustainability expectations evolve firsthand,” concludes DOC President Joubin Hassanein. “Clients today are looking for solutions that minimize environmental impact without sacrificing performance. This partnership helps us meet those expectations—delivering value while building a better future for our industry and the communities we serve.”
Additional Sublime Distribution Channel Partner program details are posted at www.sublime-systems.com/build.
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