Turning Chemistry into Infrastructure: Leah Ellis and the Future of Clean Cement
Turning Chemistry into Infrastructure: Leah Ellis and the Future of Clean Cement
What if we could rebuild the world—without rebuilding the carbon crisis?
In this episode of AEC Trailblazers, host Valentin Noves sits down with Dr. Leah Ellis, co-founder and CEO of Sublime Systems, to explore how her company is revolutionizing one of the most carbon-intensive materials on the planet: cement.
Sublime Systems is leading a high-stakes mission: to eliminate the carbon footprint of cement at scale. Their patented electrochemical process extracts reactive calcium and silicates from abundant feedstocks, skipping the fossil-fueled kilns altogether. The result? An ASTM C1157-compliant, drop-in replacement for Portland cement—but made at ambient temperature, without the need for carbon capture.
Leah and Valentin go deep into:
- The chemistry behind cement and why it matters for the climate
- Why electrification—not just decarbonization—is the path forward for heavy industry
- How Sublime’s process flips 200 years of industrial chemistry on its head
- Why real innovation in climate tech often comes from non-traditional thinkers
- The measurable goal that guides Sublime: not just CO2 reduction, but tons of cement produced and sold
This episode blends deep technical insight with visionary clarity. Leah breaks down the science behind Sublime’s platform while candidly sharing what it’s like to lead a startup working at the intersection of infrastructure, climate, and industrial transformation.
Her perspective is refreshingly grounded: she compares innovation in cement to the early days of aluminum or electricity—where breakthroughs came not from institutions, but from “people who didn’t know they weren’t supposed to succeed.” That mindset permeates Sublime’s team and mission: to transform the materials we rely on, before the planet pays the price.
Whether you’re a structural engineer, sustainability lead, VC in climate tech, or architect designing for resilience—this episode will challenge the way you think about the materials beneath our feet.
Host
Leah Ellis
CEO and co-founder
Leah Ellis is the CEO and Co-founder of Sublime Systems, a company pioneering the shift toward clean cement manufacturing with a groundbreaking electrochemical process.
With a PhD in Chemistry and a career spanning MIT, Tesla, and leading research institutions, Leah is at the forefront of sustainable materials innovation.
Under her leadership, Sublime has secured over $200M in funding and is redefining how cement is produced—without the carbon footprint of traditional methods.
Valentin Noves
CEO at e-verse
A versatile leader with broad exposure to projects and procedures and an in-depth understanding of technology services and product development. He has a tremendous passion for working in teams driven to provide remarkable software development services that disrupt the status quo. He is a creative problem solver who is equally comfortable rolling up his sleeves or leading teams with a make-it-happen attitude.
Samuel Barcenas
BIM Consultant Founder of AVES
A highly motivated and experienced architect with a proven track record of success in designing and delivering innovative and sustainable buildings. He is also a BIM expert with a deep understanding of how to use technology to improve the efficiency and quality of the design and construction process.
Valentin Noves
I'm a versatile leader with broad exposure to projects and procedures and an in-depth understanding of technology services/product development. I have a tremendous passion for working in teams driven to provide remarkable software development services that disrupt the status quo. I am a creative problem solver who is equally comfortable rolling up my sleeves or leading teams with a make-it-happen attitude.
