Sorbents, Steel, and an $85M Race Against Emissions

Genentech and QuantumScape launch an $85M joint venture targeting advanced carbon capture at North American cement and steel plants by 2027

15 Jun 2026

Genentech and QuantumScape announced on 11 June a joint venture to commercialise advanced sorbent materials for point-source carbon capture, backed by an initial $85m commitment. Deployment is targeted at cement and steel plants across North America by 2027, two sectors long considered among the hardest to decarbonise.

The pairing of a biotech firm with a battery-materials specialist is an unusual one. QuantumScape chief executive Jagdeep Singh said that working with a biotech innovation leader "accelerates the material science breakthroughs needed to make industrial carbon capture economically viable at scale, particularly as regulatory pressure on heavy emitters intensifies heading into the late 2020s." Sorbent development draws heavily on molecular engineering, an area where Genentech's research capabilities offer a material advantage.

Cement and steel production together account for a substantial share of global industrial emissions. Deploying capture technology directly at point sources avoids the inefficiencies of atmospheric removal and fits within existing plant infrastructure, which could shorten the path from pilot to commercial operation considerably.

For industrial operators facing tightening decarbonisation mandates, the 2027 deployment milestone will serve as an early proof-of-concept benchmark. Consumer-facing brands that source from steel and cement suppliers stand to benefit from cleaner upstream supply chains as capture capacity grows.

The partners plan to publish interim performance data by mid-2025 to support broader industry adoption. Progress on sorbent commercialisation could reshape investment decisions across North American heavy industry for years ahead.