Circular Niobium

This feasibility study will assess the economic, technical and environmental opportunity to develop a value chain for the recycling of niobium products.

Globally about 0.3% of niobium is recycled back to a niobium product, which is derived from high content niobium products such as superconducting electromagnets. Niobium is present in very small quantities, ~0.1%, in items such as steel. Although the value of niobium products consumed in the UK is small their impact is high as it leads to high performance steels and new applications such as batteries where the contribution to UK GVA of niobium bearing applications is estimated at £13.5bn. Emerging applications such as high capacity and high charge rate batteries are using niobium.

The UK and Europe have no active primary source, and this creates a theoretical vulnerability for an area of strategic emphasis. This feasibility study seeks to understand the case for recycled vs primary and to develop a roadmap towards a market in secondary niobium.

Industry users of niobium need to have confidence in supply and to ensure that they are sourced in a responsible way including through recycling. Investors, OEMs and governments are keen to ensure that Environmental Social Governance (ESG) impacts have been considered and mitigated through the supply chain.

This project supports the objectives of the Met4Tech Circular Economy Centre.