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When workers repaved part of Interstate 94 near Minneapolis last fall, it looked like they were pouring ordinary concrete. But instead the highway was the first to use a new, near-zero-emissions material. Its one of a series of large projects to use material from C-Crete, a Bay Area-based startup. Shortly, the highway was repaved, and the company poured slabs and foundations at San Francisco International Airport. Earlier in the summer, it also poured a floor slab in a super-tall skyscraper under construction in Manhattan, the future headquarters of JPMorgan Chase. Other projects are underway now. [Photo: courtesy C-Crete Technologies] Producing cement, the glue that holds concrete together, is a major source of global emissionsaround 8% to 9%, or three times as much as the aviation industry. But as startups are racing to bring low-emissions alternatives to market, some of those new products may be at a tipping point. This is cost-competitive, says C-Crete CEO Rouzbeh Savary, who began working on a more sustainable cement alternative as a PhD student at MIT. Were making binders that are the same cost, same performance, and no CO2. Typical Portland cement, which has been in use for the past 200 years, is a big polluter for two reasons. First, its made by heating up limestone, which releases CO2 as the limestone breaks down. The process also uses a lot of energy, which is usually run on coal and other fossil fuels. JPMorgan, 270 Park Ave. [Photo: courtesy C-Crete Technologies] C-Crete replaces limestone with other rocks that dont contain CO2, such as granite or zeolite. Some other startups are taking a similar approach. Brimstone, for example, a startup backed by Bill Gatess Breakthrough Energy Ventures, uses calcium instead of limestone. Sublime Systems, another startup, dissolves calcium silicate with chemicals. (Sublime first poured concrete for a building in Boston a year ago, and won a DOE award in December to build a new, clean-cement factory in Massachusetts.) C-Crete says that it has a simpler process: Rather than extracting a single element from rocks, requiring multiple steps and creating waste, it found a way to use the full mix of materials inside granite and other rocks. The team spent years developing a process that worked. We had thousands of failed formulas, so this didnt come overnight, Savary says. In the final process, rocks are pulverized, and then the company adds a mix of chemicalscalibrated for a particular rocks compositionto reform a new, strong material. The process uses far less energy than making Portland cement; if it’s made renewable energy, the binder can be zero-emissions. (The other materials in concrete, like sand and water, are only a minor source of emissions.) The poured concrete also acts like a sponge, capturing CO2 from the air as it cures. [Photo: courtesy C-Crete Technologies] When the binder is used to make concrete, the material is as durable and strong as conventional concrete, the company says, meeting ASTM performance standards. It also flows and pumps like typical concrete, so construction methods dont have to change. In its initial projects, C-Crete now produces cement itself. But the startup is now in discussions with ready-mix concrete companies around the country that can use its approach. Those companies already have quarries where they mine rocks like granite for aggregate. They can buy off-the-shelf equipment to pulverize the rocks, and then use binder materials from C-Crete; the changes can easily integrate into the existing construction industry without needing large-scale investments in manufacturing. San Francisco International Airport [Photo: courtesy C-Crete Technologies] Unsurprisingly, the construction industry is cautious about adopting new materials. But as a growing number of real-world projects demonstrate the performance of the concrete, it could scale up quickly. Some building owners might choose the material for sustainability reasons, but the biggest factor in its favor will likely be the affordability. While the material already competes on cost, it has the potential to become even cheaper than conventional concrete, since it’s more efficient to produce. “We believe that what we are doing is the most scalable, simplest, nd most affordable way of decarbonizing concrete,” says Savary.
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E-Commerce
Chilis is celebrating National Margarita Day this month with a new romcom Lifetime holiday movie. The casual-dining restaurant chain and cable network will debut a 15-minute TV short film, called Ill Be Home For National Margarita Day, first airing on Lifetime on February 19 and available on Lifetime.com, YouTube, and social platforms. Starring actors Maria Menounos and Taye Diggs, the new flick hits on all the classic Lifetime tropes, including a big-city-dwelling woman returning to her hometown to reconnect with an old flame, who happens to be a bartender at Chilis. The reunited lovers must work together to save a small towns National Margarita Day celebration from the villainous big-city developer. Hes like a bad guy right out of a Lifetime movie, says Diggs during one of the films self-referential moments. I think there are parallels between why people look to Lifetime and the great content they create, as well as why people look for a night out at a place like Chilis, says Chili’s chief marketing officer George Felix in an interview with Fast Company. Its a reliable source of comfort. The project also presents an appetizing marketing opportunity for Chilis, which sold 25 million margaritas last year, more than any other restaurant chain in the U.S. Chilis worked with creative agency Mischief on the film, which is a core pillar of the restaurant chains largest-ever marketing campaign for National Margarita Day, a holiday that is celebrated on February 22. ‘We need excuses to laugh’ Chilis is also offering several margarita promos, including a one-day $5 margarita special called the Tequila Trifecta, which combines el Jimador Silver, 1800 Reposado, and Jose Cuervo Gold. When people are thinking about margaritas and a place to go out, Chili’s is really the first choice, says Felix. Menounos, who plays Liz, is already well known to the Lifetime audience having previously appeared in the networks films including Christmas at Plumhill Manor and The Holiday Dating Guide. The actress says she is so charmed by the genre that she cofounded a holiday movie production company in 2024 with her husband, writer and film producer Keven Undergaro, called We Heart Holidays. Life has gotten so hard and so challenging, we need excuses to laugh, and smile, and have fun, and have margaritas, says Menounos. [Photo: Chili’s] Menounos has also been a devoted fan of Chilis for well over two decades and even hired a former Chilis waiter to work at her company. Menounos says she tends to prefer appetizers including the chips and salsa, nachos, and the fried mozzarella. Beyond her love of holiday flicks, Menounos says she was lured to the project to work with a friend, Diggs, who plays Sam in the film and also previously starred in Lifetimes Terry McMillian Presents: Forever. Diggs says hes a more recent convert to the Chilis cuisine. We all knew these characters, but at the same time, its a little bit tongue in cheek, because were talking about Chilis and mozzarella sticks and margaritas, says Diggs. A bar and grill on a roll The chain has become a star performer for restaurant operator Brinker, which also owns the Italian-themed Maggianos. Comparable restaurant sales, which tracks the performance at locations that have been open for more than 18 months, have increased steadily over the past several quarters. For the most recent fiscal second quarter, comparable restaurant sales jumped 31% at Chilis, growth that astonished Wall Street analysts, who have praised the chains comeback as one of the strongest ever in the restaurant industry. Felix says the chain has benefited from reinvesting in national TV advertising after a long pause during the pandemic, as well as a streamlined menu with 25% fewer items than two years ago. The core focus is now on five categories: burgers, chicken crispers, fajitas, margaritas, and the triple dipper. [Photo: Lifetime] The triple dipper, which allows diners to select from a range of three different appetizers, has been a particular popular dish. Last spring, Chilis began to notice some social media chatter, especially on TikTok, that frequently featured the combination of sliders, honey chipotle chicken crispers, and fried mozzarella. TikTok users were particularly drawn to performing whats known as the cheese pull” as they bite into the fried mozzarella. This item really lends itself to the way that the TikTok food world works, says Felix. Chilis cultivated interest in the dish by partnering with social media influencers. The triple dipper has amassed over 200 million views on TikTok in just he past six months. The Lifetime film presents yet another opportunity for Chilis to lean into pop culture. While the networks audience tends to skew more female, Chilis says the brands overall strategy is fairly gender balanced. Recent partnerships include launching the espresso martini with the female cast members of Bravos TV show Vanderpump Rules, but other recent activations with NASCAR and the comedy group Dude Perfect lean more male. The fact that Chili’s is a brand that really appeals to a wide demographic gives us, as marketers, a wide range of partners that we can play with, says Felix. Lifetime hits one of our big audiences in a big way.
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E-Commerce
The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. Over the past decade, the rising cost of insulin epitomized the broader systemic issue of higher healthcare out-of-pocket costs that prevented many Americans from accessing essential care. People with diabetes, who rely on insulin to maintain their health, were routinely priced out of accessing their medicationsforced to choose between filling their prescriptions or paying other bills. As a result, lowering the cost of insulin became a political rallying cry, compelling elected officials and regulators to take action. Given the complexity of the American healthcare system, theres no magic bullet when it comes to reducing insulin pricesor any prescription price for that matter. Patent protections, gaps in targeted affordability regulations, and supply chain issues are just a handful of the network dynamics at play. But, through collaborative efforts by pharma, lawmakers, and other stakeholders, the tide on insulin prices is beginning to turn. New research from GoodRx shows that the average price per insulin unit dropped 42% from 2019 to mid-2024the lowest average in a decade. Notably, it wasnt just one factor that contributed to this significant drop. The Inflation Reduction Act, which began capping costs for Medicare enrollees, was a game changer for millions of Americans. Voluntary manufacturer price cuts and savings programs, as well as increased approvals of biosimilars and generics, also drove big declines in insulin prices. Collectively, these efforts reflect a pivotal shift toward improving accessibility. Most importantly, this illustrates how, when the industry comes together, we can make medications more affordable. Collaboration as a catalyst for change To usher in a new era of affordable medicine, working together across the healthcare ecosystem is essential. Pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, insurance companies, and healthcare systems each hold a critical piece of the solution. While insulin price reductions are a notable victory, out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications continue to trend upward. Since 2014, prescription list prices have grown nearly 40%. Today, fewer medications are covered by insurance, and others are subject to restrictions like step therapy and prior authorizations. These factors contribute to why an estimated 53 million Americans leave their medications at the pharmacy counter every month. The insulin example demonstrates the impact that joint efforts can have in making lasting change, and private partners can play a significant role in driving innovation. At GoodRx, we saw an opportunity to contribute to the solution by partnering with Sanofi in 2023 to offer their most prescribed insulin, Lantus, for only $35 to all Americanswhether they had insurance or not. This happened before the manufacturer implemented its own program for consumers with commercial insurance and within the same coverage year that Medicare enrollees began benefiting from $35 insulin copay caps. Apply the insulin blueprint Though insulin was the starting point, it was only the first step on our path to better support people with diabetes. Since partnering with Sanofi, GoodRx broadened its efforts by launching cash-pay programs with other manufacturers to make essential diabetes medications and devices more affordableespecially for those not covered by insurance or with high out-of-pocket costs. For instance, weve partnered with Dexcom to lower the price of their Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitors by over $200 per month for consumers with diabetes. Both of these programs have brought savings to thousands of people who used GoodRx to complement insurance shortfalls. Our success with diabetes offers a playbook to tackle affordability challenges for other chronic conditions, such as heart and renal diseases. The groundbreaking medications and technology used to treat and monitor these conditions, especially solutions new to the market, typically come with high price tags that put them out of reach for many people. But it doesnt have to be this way. To prioritize affordability and increase access to lifesaving treatments, there must be a sustained commitment to transparency and accountability from all stakeholders. Policymakers can strengthen and expand consumer-centric legislation while enforcing regulations that ensure companies prioritize the needs of people over profits. Pharmaceutical companies can prioritize the development of innovative treatments to advance patient care while also taking deliberate steps to improve affordability. This includes providing savings programs and supporting the production of biosimilars and generics to ensure broader patient access to lifesaving medication. Charting a path forward At GoodRx, we collaborate with partners across the healthcare industry, from pharmaceutical companies to retail pharmacies and healthcare professionals. These interactions provide an unparalleled vantage point for identifying opportunities to improve transparency and affordability. The journey toward making healthcare more affordable is undeniably complex, but the insulin price reduction serves as a beacon of hope. It underscores how sustained, collaborative efforts and a shared commitment to the public good can improve access to critical medications for those who need them most. The path forward is clear, and it is up to us as industry leaders to follow it. Dorothy Gemmell is chief commercial officer and president, manufacturer solutions at GoodRx.
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E-Commerce
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