Cement is a ubiquitous material — from towering buildings to bustling highways. Among industrial materials, cement production releases the most carbon dioxide. Traditional cement production is an energy-intensive process, requiring temperatures of over 1450 degrees Celsius. This entire process releases enormous amounts of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

For this reason, experts have been looking for ways to make cement manufacturing a sustainable process. MIT spinout Sublime Systems realized that the Romans had cracked the code centuries ago. Their cement was durable, and it didn’t require these extreme temperatures for production. So, the team considered how they could replicate the Romans’ success with modern technology.