Hey there, tech fans! Today, we’re diving into some exciting news about turning coal waste into a climate-friendly material for construction.

Coal-fired power plants have caused a lot of environmental harm over the years, contributing to climate change, acid rain, black lung, and heart problems. But buried in the ash remains a hidden hero: fly ash. This byproduct can replace up to 30% of cement in concrete, cutting down on carbon emissions significantly.

Enter PHNX Materials, a startup that has developed a clever way to clean fly ash by removing sulfur and aluminum impurities. This process makes the ash more suitable for concrete and creates new sources of these elements for other industries, like fertilizers.

The company recently secured $2.5 million in seed funding, led by Divergent Capital, KdT Ventures, and Overture, with additional support from Jane Woodward. Using fly ash, which has been used since Roman times, helps make concrete more durable by preventing chemical reactions that cause cracks. As coal plant closures reduce available ash, the industry faces shortages and higher costs, prompting innovations like this to keep infrastructure strong and eco-friendly.

PHNX’s method extracts sulfur and aluminum directly from landfilling fly ash, also exploring rare earth element recovery. The processed ash is then sold to concrete producers, helping lower the sector’s carbon footprint while providing valuable byproducts like sulfur for fertilizer.

With the world shifting away from coal, this cutting-edge approach not only recycles waste but also accelerates efforts to decarbonize construction materials, making our future infrastructure greener and more resilient.