An upstream approach to cement decarbonization
CURA and Fast + Epp Partner to Validate Low-Carbon Cement in Fire-Resistant Mass Timber Concrete Connectors
CURA, a Canadian climate tech company developing breakthrough electrochemical solutions for cement decarbonization, today announced a strategic collaboration with Fast + Epp, an internationally recognized structural engineering firm and innovator in mass timber systems.
Through this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), CURA will support Fast + Epp’s effort to meet increasingly ambitious climate targets by producing low-carbon cement using its electrochemical precalcination carbon capture technology. CURA’s innovations reduce CO2 emissions in cement manufacturing by up to 85%.
As demand grows for low-carbon, sustainable buildings, mass timber has emerged as an attractive construction material due to its lower embodied carbon compared with traditional steel or concrete, as well as timber’s natural warmth and beauty. Rapid and simple to install connections between mass timber components will help to decrease total system cost, leading Fast + Epp’s Concept Lab to develop high-performance concrete connectors known as Timber Concrete Nodes (“TCN”). TCNs offer unrivaled installation tolerance and inherent fire resistance to create the “concrete solution” for mass timber connections.
“Mass timber has transformed how we think about low-carbon buildings, but concrete remains essential in key structural applications,” said Erin Bobicki, Chief Executive Officer of CURA. “By integrating CURA’s low-carbon cement into Fast + Epp’s innovative connector systems, we can meaningfully reduce embodied carbon in high-performance timber buildings while maintaining the strength, durability, and constructability the industry requires.”
The collaboration will begin with laboratory testing of CURA’s low-carbon cement in concrete cylinders to validate key performance characteristics against conventional cement benchmarks and then will be integrated into Fast + Epp’s TCN connectors, further reducing embodied carbon in mass timber construction Upon successful validation, the parties intend to advance to prototype connector development, followed by deployment in a flagship mass timber project. Together, the partnership demonstrates how Canadian innovation can accelerate deep decarbonization across the built environment.
"Fast + Epp's Concept Lab is an innovation hub where we develop, prototype, and test new products to help solve the most persistent problems in the built environment. Creating sustainable construction solutions seems to be the most important issue engineers currently face, and since concrete is by far the most widely used construction material, it is vital that we implement low-carbon chemistry to reduce the environmental impact of new construction." - Brandon Sullivan, Fast + Epp’s Concept Lab Manager.
Fast + Epp will contribute engineering expertise, testing oversight, and connector design integration, while CURA will supply cement materials and technical data. Together, the companies aim to demonstrate that deep decarbonization of structural systems can be achieved without compromising performance, scalability, or cost-effectiveness—setting a new benchmark for low-carbon building innovation.
About CURA
CURA is a Canadian climatetech company developing electrochemical technology to reduce CO2 emissions from cement production. Its CURALYTETM-powered electrolyzer cuts emissions by up to 85% while lowering energy use and manufacturing cost. Designed as a retrofit-ready solution, CURA’s technology integrates with existing feedstocks, infrastructure, and operations. The company’s founders are seasoned climatetech leaders, with experience in scaling technologies to reduce global CO2 emissions. CURA works with partners globally to accelerate the decarbonization of the cement industry. Learn more at curaclimate.com.
About Fast + Epp
Fast + Epp is an internationally recognized structural engineering firm known for advancing innovative, sustainable building systems, particularly in mass timber design. With offices across North America and projects spanning the globe, the firm delivers creative, technically rigorous solutions across commercial, institutional, residential, and civic sectors. Fast + Epp is widely regarded as a leader in hybrid timber-concrete systems and the development of proprietary technologies that enhance constructability, performance, and durability. Learn more at fastepp.com and fastepp.com/concept-lab/.
