Innovator Story: Travertine
Eliminating Waste, Creating Opportunity: Travertine’s Carbon Solution Connects with NYSERDA
Travertine Technologies, Inc. (Travertine) was born from a unique intersection of scientific insight and industrial need. Its founder, Dr. Laura Lammers—formerly a professor at UC Berkeley and a specialist in carbonate mineralization—recognized a critical challenge facing major mining companies producing everything from lithium to phosphorus: the heavy use of sulfuric acid and resulting waste management challenge. While working with a consortium on lithium extraction convened by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, she realized that the sulfate byproducts of critical mineral refining could be recycled back into sulfuric acid instead of relying on transported elemental sulfur. This insight catalyzed the development of Travertine’s core technology: an electrochemical process that simultaneously recycles gypsum into sulfuric acid for critical mineral extraction, removes CO₂ from the atmosphere, produces calcium carbonate to blend into cements, and can even co-produce green hydrogen.
Dr. Lammers joined forces with Owen Cadwalader, a long-time friend and environmental engineer, to transform this innovation into a commercial reality. But it was the connection with NYSERDA’s Innovation & Research program that would turn the idea into a breakthrough demonstration project in upstate New York.
Transformative Technology with Multiple Environmental Benefits
Travertine’s core innovation is a circular electrochemical process that captures CO₂ and combines it with waste sulfate streams from mining and fertilizer industries to create:
- Calcium Carbonate - A solid permanent carbon sink and cement additive.
- Sulfuric Acid - A widely used industrial chemical.
- Green Hydrogen - Used for fertilizer production or as fuel.
Travertine’s approach not only reduces waste but reintroduces industrial inputs back into the system, a loop that addresses multiple climate and industrial challenges:
Carbon and Emissions Management
Reduces atmospheric and point-source CO₂.
Waste Elimination and Circular Solutions
Eliminates landfilled sulfate waste.
Sustainable Materials and Products
Provides inputs for low-carbon cement and battery-grade phosphoric acid.
Driving Green Hydrogen for Industry
Enables green hydrogen production that can be colocated with key users, such as fertilizer producers.
NYSERDA: The Catalyst Behind Travertine’s Breakthrough
Travertine’s first major demonstration project is located in Ontario, New York, supported by regional partners including engineering firm Zeton (Toronto), general contractor Nichols Construction (Rochester), and several local subcontractors. The location was initially chosen in partnership with Sabin Metal Corporation, an important precious metals recycler located atop a legacy gypsum mine.
The firm’s rapid scale‑up from lab to pilot gained both investment and collaboration from the NYSERDA team, who saw an opportunity to meet industrial need—and reduce carbon—in the promising new technology. In 2024, NYSERDA awarded the company a competitive, milestone‑based $3.2 million green hydrogen grant to help offset the costs of the demonstration plant. The team also connected Travertine with hydrogen safety experts and renewable energy acquisition resources, helping them build robust operational and safety plans. NYSERDA’s involvement enabled Travertine to:
- Attract critical private investment.
- De‑risk the project by validating its technological and economic promise.
- Execute the project on a milestone basis, offering flexible, outcome‑based funding.
“Had we not received the NYSERDA grant, we would not have raised the rest of the funding. These types of public-private funding mechanisms are 100% critical to reshoring critical mineral production in the US.”
— Owen Cadwalader, COO of Travertine
In addition to funding and support from NYSERDA, Travertine’s decision to site its demo project in New York was shaped by strategic advantages and partnerships. Sabin Metal Corporation’s interest in using Travertine’s sulfuric acid was critical to siting in the greater Rochester area. In addition, the availability of regional talent from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), new industrial companies building in the Rochester area, and legacy industrial firms, as well as community support for the project from the towns of Ontario and Wheatland. The synergy of industrial heritage and cleantech ambition made the area an ideal fit.
Building Regional Networks and Market Pathways
Travertine has become deeply embedded in the upstate New York cleantech ecosystem, engaging more than 20 local and regional partners, including industrial customers, supply chain participants, and project developers. With NYSERDA’s involvement, they’ve partnered with RIT graduates, local skilled labor, and engineering firms to construct their demo facility. Travertine views their presence as part of a growing Northeast corridor—linking New York, Ontario, and Quebec—centered around sustainable energy innovation and battery materials supply chains, with proximity to major U.S. markets like Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.
While working on the demo plant, the team is already looking beyond a ribbon cutting. Their next milestone is a commercial‑scale facility, many times larger, focused on supplying purified phosphoric acid for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and producing cement‑grade carbonate. The company’s long‑term vision: to eliminate the need for sulfur burners and end the creation of sulfate waste altogether.
Travertine’s experience offers valuable insights for other cleantech startups in designing new technologies and solutions for economic viability and environmental sustainability. The team underscores that scaling transformative technologies requires deep collaboration—with regulators, funders, government partners, and industry leaders. It credits NYSERDA I&R for having forged the vital connections to talent, suppliers, communities, and advisors. New York State is not just a starting point but is an intentional leader and springboard for energy innovators to build a foundation for success, demonstrating and scaling solutions faster and more effectively for a cleaner, global energy future.
About NYSERDA Innovation & Research
NYSERDA Innovation & Research fosters a dynamic ecosystem that accelerates the development, demonstration, and commercialization of cutting-edge energy technologies. By catalyzing private investment, supporting groundbreaking research, and attracting world-class innovators to New York, NYSERDA advances statewide goals for decarbonization, resilience, and economic growth.