Climate Startup Hires Former Tesla Executive to Build Revolutionary Carbon-Storing Concrete Plant
Netherlands, Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
Paebbl achieved a breakthrough by delivering infrastructure projects 50% below typical first-of-a-kind cost benchmarks at Novo Energy before joining the climate tech company.
Strategic Leadership Appointment for Commercial Expansion
Paebbl, a Nordic-Dutch climate technology startup, has appointed Fernando Sosa as its new chief executive officer to spearhead the construction of its first commercial plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands [1]. The appointment, announced on April 8, 2026, positions Sosa to lead the design, engineering, and delivery of Paebbl’s first commercial-scale facility [2]. Sosa brings extensive experience from his previous roles at Tesla and Novo Energy, where he demonstrated exceptional capability in delivering first-of-a-kind (FOAK) industrial projects [1]. At Novo Energy, the Northvolt-Volvo battery joint venture that ceased operations in January 2025, Sosa oversaw EPC execution for their pioneering facility, managing a 120-person operation that delivered infrastructure at 50% below typical FOAK cost benchmarks [2].
From Tesla Gigafactory to Climate Solutions
Sosa’s manufacturing expertise stems from six years at Tesla, where he scaled first-of-a-kind manufacturing operations, including work on the Reno gigafactory [1][2]. This experience in large-scale industrial deployment proved crucial when he transitioned to Novo Energy, where he successfully managed complex battery manufacturing infrastructure before the venture paused operations and laid off all 75 employees at its Gothenburg factory following Northvolt’s bankruptcy [1]. Marta Sjögren, who leads Paebbl alongside co-CEO Andreas Saari, highlighted Sosa’s track record of delivering FOAK plants faster and at lower cost than industry norms, describing him as one of the few people globally with the right experience mix for their program [1]. Sosa had already been advising Paebbl on site selection and program structure prior to his formal appointment [1].
Revolutionary Carbon Storage Technology
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Rotterdam, Paebbl develops technology that permanently stores carbon dioxide in construction materials, targeting one of the most challenging emissions problems in the built environment [1]. The company’s approach addresses climate change by capturing and storing CO2 in building materials, creating carbon-negative construction solutions [GPT]. Paebbl has raised approximately $43 million to date, including a €25 million Series A funding round in October 2024 backed by notable investors including Holcim, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Capnamic Ventures, and Pale Blue Dot [1]. The startup currently employs around 70 people across its offices in Rotterdam and Stockholm, Sweden [1].
Commercial Deployment Strategy
Sosa expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to build infrastructure that permanently stores carbon at scale, emphasizing his commitment to making the FOAK plant a benchmark for industrial deployment standards [1]. The appointment represents a critical transition phase for Paebbl as it moves from research and development to commercial production of its CO2-storing building materials. The company’s combination of proven science and execution speed attracted Sosa to the leadership role, positioning Paebbl to scale its innovative climate technology across the construction industry [1]. This strategic hire underscores the growing importance of carbon capture and storage solutions in addressing global climate challenges while meeting increasing demand for sustainable building materials.