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Sublime Systems pauses Holyoke plant and cuts 10% of staff after losing federal funding
Sublime Systems halted construction of its Holyoke, Massachusetts cement plant and laid off 10% of staff after the Department of Energy cancelled an $87 million award that was to cover half the plant's cost. The company remains in talks with DOE and is exploring alternative ways to reach commercial scale.
- The DOE cancelled the grant in October 2024 as part of a broader termination of 24 clean energy awards worth over $3.7 billion, citing lack of economic viability.
- Sublime's electrochemical process skips the fossil-fired kiln, reducing carbon emissions; the company said it still hopes to reverse the decision.
- The layoff removed about 10% of the workforce; the facility was expected to create hundreds of construction jobs and 70–90 permanent positions once operational.