【文/观察者网 陈思佳】辉长岩是一种不起眼的岩石，价格低廉且储量丰富，常被用作铺路的材料，但 美国正试图利用这种岩石来减少对中国的关键矿产依赖。据美国《华尔街日报》12月9日报道，硅谷公 司正尝试加工辉长岩，以生产铝、镁和其他需要从中国进口的关键矿物。 在美国加利福尼亚州奥克兰，一家名为Brimstone的初创企业正通过自主化学工艺和现成的设备加工辉 长岩，从中提取矿物。该公司成立于2019年，已经从科技巨头亚马逊、微软联合创始人比尔·盖茨等投 资者处筹集了超过8000万美元的资金。 特朗普政府也为相关项目投资了数亿美元，并入股了美国稀土公司MP Materials、稀土磁铁初创企业 Vulcan Elements、磁铁回收公司ReElement Technologies以及锂矿开采公司Lithium Americas。美国政府 还与乌克兰、澳大利亚、阿联酋等十多个国家签署协议，以确保获得关键矿产项目的准入。 虽然Brimstone提出了"野心勃勃"的目标，但该公司还需要先证明自己的生产能力。报道指出，现在 Brimstone还只能在实验室阶段实现部分矿物的生产，钛的生产甚至还停留在纸面阶段。该公司尚未建 成 ...

Core Points - The Department of Energy is proposing significant cuts to federal funding, which could impact various startups and major automakers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis [1][2] - The proposed cuts include the cancellation of over $500 million in contracts awarded to more than a dozen startups, in addition to previous cuts of more than $7.5 billion announced by the Trump administration [2][3] Impact on Startups - Startups are expected to face substantial losses, with some awards being critical to their operations. The proposed cuts include new awards that have not been publicly announced yet [5] - Notable startups affected include Brimstone, which was granted $189 million to build a plant for low-carbon materials, and Anovion, which aimed to produce synthetic graphite for lithium-ion batteries [6] Impact on Automakers - General Motors stands to lose at least $500 million from a federal grant intended for retooling its Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant for electrified vehicle production [4] - Other automakers, including Daimler Trucks North America, Harley-Davidson, and Volvo Technology of America, are also slated to lose grants worth hundreds of millions [3] Specific Grants Affected - Li Industries received $55.2 million for recycling LFP batteries, while Sublime Systems was awarded $86.9 million for an ultra-low-carbon cement plant. Both are at risk of losing their funding [7]

Core Points - The Department of Energy is proposing significant cuts to federal funding, which could impact various startups and major automakers like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis [1][2] - The proposed cuts include the cancellation of over $500 million in contracts awarded to more than a dozen startups, in addition to previous cuts of more than $7.5 billion announced by the Trump administration [2][3] Impact on Startups - Startups are expected to face substantial losses, with some awards being critical for their operations. The proposed cuts include new awards that have not been publicly announced yet [5] - Notable startups affected include Brimstone, which was set to receive $189 million for a plant to produce low-carbon materials, and Anovion, which aimed to build a factory for synthetic graphite [6] Impact on Automakers - General Motors could lose at least $500 million in grant money intended for retooling its Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant for electrified vehicle production [4] - Other automakers like Ford, Daimler Trucks North America, and Stellantis are also at risk of losing hundreds of millions in grants [3] Specific Grant Losses - Several building materials companies are on the list for proposed cuts, including CleanFiber and Hempitecture, which could lose $10 million and $8.4 million respectively [11] - TS Conductor, which produces advanced conductors for electric lines, is at risk of losing $28.2 million, which contradicts the administration's goals for energy dominance [12]

Group 1: Market Overview - The global decarbonized concrete market is projected to generate approximately $639 million in revenue in 2024, with expectations to grow to $1.525 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2% from 2025 to 2031, indicating strong growth potential [1] - In terms of production, the global output of decarbonized concrete is expected to reach approximately 26.5 million tons in 2024, with an average selling price of $234.33 per ton [3] Group 2: Product Characteristics and Technology - Decarbonized concrete is defined as an innovative building material aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions during traditional concrete production by utilizing low-carbon raw materials, optimizing production processes, and integrating carbon capture technologies [3] - Key technological approaches include CO₂ mineralization, alternative clinker materials, and the development of completely cement-free geopolymers or biological methods, which not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance structural strength and durability [3] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Major companies in the global decarbonized concrete market include CarbonCure Technologies, CarbiCrete, Brimstone, Sublime Systems, Hoffmann Green, C-Crete, Solidia Technologies, CarbonBuilt, Oxara, Blue Planet Systems, LafargeHolcim, Buzzi Unicem, Geopolymer Solutions, Heidelberg, and Cemex [4] - The market can be segmented into carbon-negative cement and cement-free concrete, with core applications in infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, marine engineering, and other related fields [4] Group 4: Historical and Forecast Data - Historical data from 2020 to 2024 includes industry status, competitive landscape, production expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and market data segmented by product type, application field, and region [4] - Forecast data from 2025 to 2031 will cover industry status predictions, market size, product pricing, market share, growth rates, and competitive trends [5]

Core Viewpoint - Climate startups are shifting their focus away from climate issues to align with changing economic and political landscapes, emphasizing national security and other market opportunities instead [2][3][5]. Group 1: Shift in Messaging - Companies developing climate-friendly metals, cement, and fuels are now highlighting how their products contribute to national security amid rising global trade tensions [4][5]. - Many climate startups have removed references to climate benefits from their messaging, instead focusing on how their technologies can address urgent national security concerns [11][16]. - The financial environment has become challenging, with equity financing for climate tech startups dropping by 40% in 2024 to $50.7 billion, marking the third consecutive year of decline [7]. Group 2: Company Examples - Magrathea Metals has shifted its narrative from climate benefits to emphasizing the urgency of domestic magnesium production for national security, particularly for military applications [11][14][33]. - Brimstone, a low-carbon cement startup, has repositioned itself as a proponent of domestic manufacturing, removing climate-related commitments from its messaging [15][17]. - VEIR, initially focused on electric vehicle charging solutions, has pivoted to serve the growing data center market, reflecting a broader trend of adapting to immediate market demands [25][29]. Group 3: Broader Industry Trends - Major companies like Dow and General Motors are also aligning their interests with national security, advocating for tax credits for low-carbon hydrogen production without mentioning climate change [20][21]. - The shift in focus among startups and established companies highlights the risks of relying on government subsidies and changing political priorities [23][24].