Microsoft is ramping up its climate action with new investments targeting two of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries—cement and steel. The company has invested in Fortera, a U.S. startup developing low-carbon cement, and signed agreements with Stegra, a European producer of green steel.
Both deals support Microsoft’s goal to become carbon negative by 2030 and reduce emissions across its supply chain. Cement and steel are crucial for data centers, offices, and infrastructure but account for nearly 15% of global CO₂ emissions.
Fortera’s process locks carbon into the cement itself, cutting emissions by up to 60%. Microsoft’s funding signals growing corporate demand for sustainable construction materials, which could help expand the global green cement market, forecast to reach $60 billion by 2032.
Meanwhile, Stegra’s steel, made with renewable energy and hydrogen-based reduction, reduces emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional methods. Microsoft plans to use it in data centers and hardware production, addressing its Scope 3 emissions—those from suppliers and materials.
These moves reflect a broader industry trend: major corporations are using purchasing power to drive decarbonization. Supported by policies like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, green materials are gaining traction across global supply chains.
Microsoft’s partnerships with Fortera and Stegra position it at the forefront of this shift—turning climate ambition into industrial transformation and proving that clean materials are the foundation of a sustainable digital future.
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Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash
