Brimstone, a U.S. industrial technology innovator, has debuted its vision for the “Fourth Great Refinery,” revealing a bold product roadmap that extends beyond its pioneering carbon-free cement. The company’s patented Rock Refinery® process now targets a diverse suite of industrial materials—including aluminum, steel, titanium, magnesium, supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), and a range of critical minerals.
This multi product capability positions Brimstone as a potential disruptor in global materials production. By using abundant calcium-bearing silicate rocks as feedstock, the company claims its process can co-produce multiple high-value outputs with significantly lower carbon emissions compared to traditional refining pathways. According to CEO Cody Finke, the technology “fundamentally changes how we produce the building blocks of civilization,” offering a lower-cost, higher-efficiency alternative to entrenched global refining supply chains.
The Rock Refinery® process is designed to eliminate carbon emissions associated with conventional cement and alumina production—industries that together account for a substantial share of global industrial CO2 output. With a fully electrifiable system and carbon-free input materials, Brimstone expects to achieve zero process emissions when powered by renewable energy. The company also highlights major efficiency gains, including higher overall material yields and reduced waste generation.
Brimstone’s first demonstration-scale Rock Refinery plant, located near Reno, Nevada, is now under development. Initial production will include cement, smelter-grade alumina, and SCM, with expansion planned into steel, magnesium, titanium, and other critical mineral refining. This multiphase rollout is intended to demonstrate both the technical and commercial scalability of the Rock Refinery model.
The company has secured early commercial interest, including a volume reservation agreement with Amazon for cement and SCM. At the same time, Brimstone continues navigating federal funding challenges, including the recent revocation of a previously announced U.S. grant. Despite this setback, leadership remains confident in the economic and technical merits of its platform.
For the light metals sector—including aluminum and magnesium producers—the implications are noteworthy. Traditionally, metals such as aluminum and magnesium depend on geographically constrained ore bodies and energy-intensive refining processes. Brimstone’s model proposes diversifying sourcing options, enhancing industrial resiliency, and reducing reliance on global supply chains dominated by a small number of refining centers.