Cody Finke: Innovating for a Sustainable Future

Snapshot

Cody Finke is the co-founder and CEO of Brimstone Energy, a company dedicated to revolutionizing cement production to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Under his leadership, Brimstone has developed a process to produce carbon-negative Portland cement, aiming to decarbonize one of the most widely used materials globally.

Early Life and Education

Finke holds a Bachelor of Arts with distinction in Chemistry from Carleton College. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he focused on decarbonizing industrial processes.

Career

Before founding Brimstone Energy, Finke worked on various projects related to energy storage, wastewater treatment, and industrial processes. His postdoctoral work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory involved research on electrochemical disinfection and CO₂ reduction.

Sustainability Highlights and Focus

Finke’s work centers on developing sustainable solutions for industrial processes:

• Carbon-Negative Cement Production: Brimstone’s innovative process produces Portland cement with a negative carbon footprint, addressing the cement industry’s significant contribution to global CO₂ emissions.
  
• Industry Certification: In August 2023, Brimstone’s carbon-negative cement received third-party certification, meeting ASTM C150 standards, marking a significant milestone in sustainable construction materials.
  
• Funding and Support: In April 2022, Brimstone raised $55 million in a pre-revenue funding round, with investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and DCVC, highlighting confidence in the company’s mission and technology.

Looking Ahead

Finke continues to lead Brimstone Energy in scaling its carbon-negative cement production, aiming to transform the construction industry and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change. His innovative approach positions Brimstone at the forefront of sustainable industrial solutions.