JFE Steel and CBMM sign technical cooperation agreement to develop Niobium-bearing stainless steel

The companies are focusing on new applications for the renewable energy sector

In May 2022, CBMM and JFE Steel signed a technical cooperation agreement to work in partnership on developing a new stainless steel for application in renewable energy solutions and equipment. This cooperation aims to combine the technical expertise of both companies and speed up the materials availability to facilitate the energy transition globally. JFE Steel is a global reference for the stainless steel industry, with a production history of more than half century.

The company was established in 2003 by consolidation of Kawasaki Steel and NKK and actively developed many stainless steel grades for the most diverse segments of the market, such as mobility, infrastructure, energy, and white goods.

On the other hand, CBMM is the global leader in Niobium products and has been supporting the industry in developing more innovative, sustainable, and efficient materials for the last 67 years. Stainless steels were one of the first materials to successfully validate the benefits of Niobium stabilization and implement its usage in the widest range of alloys. As a result, the demand for Niobium usage keeps growing yearly.

The agreement will be in force for 5 (five) years, and the expectation is that by the end of the project, the new Nb-bearing grade will already be validated and used by several end-users worldwide. JFE and CBMM are motivated to support the development of more sustainable solutions for the energy transition, and the signature of this agreement reinforces this target.