Niobium in decarbonization: advancing CO₂ conversion technology

Niobium serves as an essential component in closed-carbon-loop technology, advancing sustainable applications.

Photo: University of Birminham, UK.

Lower CO2 emissions

As the global push for industrial decarbonization accelerates, Niobium emerges as a key enabler of innovative technology that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while preserving operational efficiency.

In this context, CBMM, global leader in Niobium products, and the University of Birmingham, UK, have announced the development of a joint project focused on carbon recycling technology for lower-emission steel production, directly contributing to the industry’s decarbonization efforts.

A closed-carbon-loop approach using Niobium-based perovskite

The initiative applies Niobium as an essential component for a closed-carbon-loop technology, advancing its sustainable application. The Niobium-based perovskite can convert CO2, released by fossil-fuel-based inustrial processes, into a reusable input: carbon monoxide (CO).

In lab tests, Niobium-based-perovskite has proven to be highly effective, with nearly 100% selectivity — meaning that CO2 passing through the material is transformed into CO exclusively.

Professor Yulong Ding, Chamberlain Chair of Chemical Engineering, and founder of the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Energy Storage, said:

"Foundation industries such as steelmaking, which provides essential materials to a wide range of other industries, are major emitters of CO2 and amongst the hardest sectors to decarbonize. We are pleased to work with CBMM on this project, which aims to deliver a decarbonization solution that is not only technically and economically viable, but also environmentally sustainable."

Currently in the laboratory phase, the project is set to advance to pilot scale within three years. Its commercialization will be led by PeroCycle, a startup created for this purpose, supported by the University of Birmingham, Anglo American, and Cambridge Future Tech.

Target benefits

While currently at a laboratory validation stage, the technology concept presents promising advantages for future industrial deployment, including:

• Retrofit-friendly: adaptable to existing industrial setups, like blast furnaces;
• Minimized infrastructure changes, reducing costs and avoiding stranded assets;
• Operates at lower temperatures, improving energy efficiency and lowering operational costs.

CBMM’s role in scaling sustainable innovation

Niobium is at the core of the development, with CBMM’s Innovation team providing technical expertise to ensure the scalability and performance of the technology.

“This partnership represents an important step in the search for viable and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing global industry. We are looking at a promising solution for industrial decarbonization, especially in the steel sector, due to its potential technical and economic feasibility. Furthermore, the use of Niobium across different markets reinforces our commitment to innovation and sustainability.” Leonardo Silvestre — Head of Innovation, CBMM

Expanding the frontiers of Niobium applications

Exploring new frontiers for Niobium technology development is part of CBMM’s strategic vision of enabling disruptive innovation worldwide.

This includes new applications in:

• Advanced ceramics and glasses;
• Polymers and composites;
• Clean energy;
• Agricultural inputs.

Together, these developments reinforce CBMM’s position as a global benchmark in sustainable and transformative materials.