The green premium has long been a barrier to decarbonizing heavy industry. The UK's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, starting January 2027, will put a price on carbon-intensive imports, while startups are working to lower the cost of clean alternatives. Two companies, Ki 13 and Cocoon, are making progress in hydrogen and cement respectively. Ki 13 produces hydrogen by electrochemically splitting biomass, using about 25 kWh per kg, roughly half the electricity of water electrolysis. It also produces biogenic CO2, useful for e-fuels. Cocoon turns steel slag into a cement replacement, cutting embodied CO2 by up to 40%. Both have raised funding and are building pilot plants. These developments suggest the green premium is not inevitable. If costs come down, buyers may switch without needing subsidies. The article is worth reading for anyone tracking low-carbon industrial innovation.
