The Clinker Factor

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, we welcome back Tobias Woerner, Managing Director & Founder of Belsize Capital, who previously joined the podcast as part of our mini-series to discuss the cement industry from an investment perspective. Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, catches up with Tobias to hear how his perspective has evolved since his move from equity research into consultancy and independent investment advisory. Tobias shares his latest views on the global macro environment and construction markets, before turning to the latest EU Commission ETS proposals and what they could mean for the cement industry. The conversation also explores the role of CCUS in decarbonisation, the challenges associated with its deployment, and why SCMs and other decarbonisation technologies are likely to become increasingly important. Looking ahead, Tobias considers how markets, regulation, capital and the energy transition are reshaping the outlook for cement and construction, and what investors and industry leaders should be watching next.

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host David Alós Shepherd, Head of Business Development at alcemy and WCA Member, talks to Loren Burnett, President and CEO of Prometheus Materials, about the company’s mission to reinvent cement and concrete using algae-based biological processes. Loren reflects on his journey from entrepreneurship into climate technology and discusses what the company has learned from taking its technology from the lab into real-world construction projects, and the challenges of convincing an established industry to embrace a fundamentally different approach. Looking ahead, Loren explores the potential to transform concrete at scale, the role of alternative materials in decarbonising construction, and what he is most excited about as Prometheus Materials moves into its next phase of commercial growth.

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the WCA, this special episode of The Clinker Factor looks back at a decade of transformation in the global cement industry and ahead to the challenges and opportunities of the next ten years. Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Wei Rushan, President of the WCA and Vice General Manager of CNBM Group. Mr Wei reflects on his own route into the cement industry and looks back to the WCA’s beginnings in 2016 and its achievements over the first ten years. He shares his perspective on how the industry has changed over the past decade, from COVID-19 to supply-chain disruption and the accelerating push towards net zero. Finally, looking ahead to 2036, Mr Wei considers where the biggest transformations will come from and what he hopes both the cement industry and the WCA will have achieved by the time the association reaches its 20th anniversary. 

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Guillaume Lane, Engagement and Impact Lead at Climate Action for Associations (CAFA), about the critical role industry associations play in accelerating climate action across hard-to-abate sectors. Guillaume begins by explaining CAFA's mission to help membership organisations embed sustainability into their strategies, strengthen climate leadership, and coordinate action across industries. The conversation explores why associations have become increasingly important in shaping policy, supporting corporate political responsibility, and helping businesses manage climate risk while building the business case for sustainability.

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Sinem Demir Duru, Operations Officer and Asia Cement Sector Lead at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about the role of finance, policy, and industry collaboration in accelerating the decarbonisation of the global cement sector. Sinem discusses how IFC combines investment, technical advisory, and strategic partnerships to help scale energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and other decarbonisation initiatives across one of the world's fastest-growing cement markets. The conversation also explores why increasing diversity is essential for attracting new perspectives, strengthening leadership, and driving innovation across the cement value chain. Looking ahead, Sinem shares her perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry as it works towards net zero, and the partnerships, investments, and policy frameworks that will be needed to accelerate the transition while supporting long-term industrial growth.

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Julie Larsen and Roger Hubeli, Co-Principals of APTUM and Associate Professors at Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, about the intersection of architecture, materials research, and innovation in the built environment. Julie and Roger reflect on their backgrounds and training, tracing their journey from architectural practice and academia into advanced materials research. The conversation explores APTUM’s long-standing collaboration with Cemex Global R&D and how working closely with industry partners has enabled a series of experimental projects that challenge conventional assumptions about concrete. From floatable concrete structures inspired by natural ecosystems to ongoing research into foldable concrete systems, Julie and Roger discuss some of the most exciting developments in advanced cementitious materials and the opportunities they create for both performance and sustainability.

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Markus Kritzler, CEO of Carbon Upcycling, about the changing dynamics of the global cement and materials sector and the growing role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in industrial decarbonisation. Markus reflects on his route into the cement industry and SCM innovation, as well as the challenge of attracting new talent into a sector increasingly shaped by technology, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. The discussion also examines how SCM investments are becoming both a domestic manufacturing strategy and an emissions reduction lever, with Markus sharing updates on Carbon Upcycling’s flagship commercial project at the Ash Grove Mississauga cement plant and the company’s broader commercialisation roadmap. 

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Georg Locher, Technical Director at Schwenk Zement, about the role of oxyfuel technology in decarbonising the cement industry. Georg shares his journey in the sector and how he became closely associated with oxyfuel, offering a clear explanation of the technology and its significance for carbon capture. He outlines the two main approaches within oxyfuel—calciner-only and full-process integration—and reflects on how the technology has evolved, including the role of flue gas recirculation in improving efficiency. Georg also compares oxyfuel with other carbon capture and storage (CCS) approaches, highlighting the trade-offs in cost, complexity, and performance. Looking ahead, Georg shares his perspective on future trends and where he believes the industry should place its bets as it accelerates towards net zero.

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to John Kline, Principal at Kline Consulting, LLC, about the forces reshaping the global cement industry. John reflects on his journey in the sector and the key differences he sees across US, European, and global markets. He shares insights into how digitisation is transforming plant operations, where AI is delivering measurable results, and where expectations still exceed reality. Looking ahead, John outlines the capabilities cement companies must build now to stay competitive in a decade defined by energy transition, regulatory pressure, and technological disruption.

In this special International Women’s Day episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Natalija Jovasevic, Sustainability and Communications Officer at the WCA, talks to Buffy Price, Co-Founder of Carbon Re, about leadership, diversity, and the role government must play in supporting industrial AI and climate innovation. The conversation tackles the gender imbalance across the cement industry, exploring why so few roles are held by women and what must change to improve both gender and cultural diversity. Buffy also reflects on engaging with policymakers, including a recent visit to 10 Downing Street to discuss AI opportunities with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.