Michigan Climate Venture (MCV) is excited to announce a new investment in SusMaX, an emerging materials company based in Philadelphia. By recycling coal ash into lightweight aggregate for cement and other building materials, co-founders Dr. Mo Balapour and Dr. Amir Farnam have turned a serious environmental hazard into a decarbonization solution for the built environment.

MCV’s investment team and external advisors were immediately enthusiastic about SusMax’s technology because of the potential for complementary environmental, climate and social benefits. Today, coal ash from ongoing coal production is stored in over 1,400 waste sites across the US¹. Some of these waste sites contaminate groundwater² due to leaching of toxic elements. In our Great Lakes region, there are over 142 waste sites³ that could threaten our critical water quality and surrounding community health. Recently, the EPA proposed new regulations⁴ that would significantly extend federal cleanup and closure requirements for these waste sites, meaning the time is now for attractive solutions to offtake coal ash. We believe SusMaX is well-positioned to commercialize its thermodynamics-based coal ash recycling process that offers a streamlined, cost-effective environmental solution.

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SusMaX’s recycled aggregate product also solves a significant challenge for the building and construction industries. Concrete is primarily made of aggregate and cement, which accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions and is projected to see rapid demand as the global economy develops⁵. Based on new industry data, each ton of lightweight aggregates (LWA) on average emits 250 kg of CO₂ . This is driven by the extraction of raw materials, high energy demand for manufacturing, and extensive transportation requirements. SusMaX’s overall solution can reduce CO₂ emissions from the product by at least 50%. By using SusMaX LWA, concrete manufacturers can reduce material acquisition costs while increasing concrete performance and lifespan by an estimated 20%. The simple switch will also enable downstream clients to meet their sustainability and net-zero goals for new buildings.

The SusMaX team is already an award-winning startup. Since launching in 2020, they have completed The Heritage Group Accelerator, received over $1.25 million from the National Science Foundation’s SBIR grants, and became one of the first companies to receive funding from Drexel University’s Innovation Fund. Now, SusMaX plans to launch production sites throughout the northeast and the Great Lakes. The team’s work to decarbonize a critical industry and clean up our environment aligns well with MCV’s mission focus in the Great Lakes region. We look forward to continuing to support SusMaX’s work through regulatory strategy, environmental impact assessment, and more. Together, we can ensure that economic development is climate-friendly and forward-thinking.

Cofounder Dr. Mo Balapour said: “[The SusMaX team is] passionate about the impact that our technology can have on both coal ash and lightweight aggregate industries. We can help these coal ash sites to remove and recycle their material and have a positive impact on the adjacent communities. At the same time, we can deliver a lightweight aggregate product that has lesser environmental impact compared to the alternative products and has superior technical performance.”

The Michigan Climate Venture Fund (MCV) at the University of Michigan is the first student-led climate impact fund. The fund invests in early-stage startups with significant decarbonization potential, with a focus on food and agriculture, mobility, materials, and circular economy solutions. MCV works to develop the next generation of climate tech leaders who share a mission to combat climate change and build healthy, resilient communities.