Clean industry

Clean industry

A new, low-carbon way to make chemicals, without the big, dirty factories

Startup OCOchem has built factory-assembled “artificial photosynthesis” cells to make formate, a widely used chemical now produced with fossil fuels.

By Jeff St. John . 29 May 2025
Clean industry

How states can pick up the slack on industrial decarbonization

States can’t replace the billions in funding the Trump administration is trying to claw back, but they have options for keeping up momentum on cleaning up industry.

By Jeff St. John . 22 May 2025
Fossil fuels

Some of the most polluted US cities are home to coal-based steel plants

Seven factories still use blast furnaces — and worsen pollution in the cities they are located, according to an analysis by climate research group Industrious Labs.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 21 May 2025
Clean industry

‘It’s bleak’: Trump prepares to gut investments to clean up heavy industry

The Industrial Demonstrations Program would create thousands of jobs while helping modernize U.S. industries like steelmaking. It’s on Trump’s chopping block.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 8 May 2025
Green steel

Electra lands $186M to scale up its clean iron electrowinning process

Purifying iron ore is a key step in steelmaking — and a carbon-intensive one. Big steel and mining players are funding this startup’s all-electric tech to see if it can scale.

By Jeff St. John . 24 April 2025
Clean industry

Bipartisan bill to boost green building materials glides through House

As the Trump administration cuts or scrutinizes clean industry projects, Congress moves to bolster R&D and deployment of low-carbon concrete, cement, and asphalt.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 3 April 2025
Green steel

Hyundai to make ‘low-carbon’ steel at $6B plant in Louisiana

The automaker will use an electric arc furnace and potentially a fossil gas–based process at the new facility, eschewing traditional coal-centered methods.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 25 March 2025
Heat pumps

This map shows where to swap out industrial boilers for heat pumps

From Los Angeles to Philadelphia, ditching small industrial boilers for heat pumps could help clear smoggy skies.

By Alison F. Takemura . 4 March 2025
Policy & regulation

EU to unveil ‘Clean Industrial Deal’ to cut CO2, boost energy security

The bold plan aims to revitalize and decarbonize heavy industry, reduce reliance on gas, and make energy cheaper, cleaner, and more secure. But does it have teeth?

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 25 February 2025
Clean industry

States are moving forward with Buy Clean policies despite Trump reversal

New York, Washington, and other states are forming coalitions to cut carbon emissions from building materials even as the federal government bows out.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 February 2025