The production of structures for electric and competition vehicles, partnerships with universities and research fields are the new niobium investment strategies of the largest supplier of products with this metal.

Sectors involving niobium retracted about 20% in sales and production at the beginning of the pandemic. However, at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 there was an important recovery in Brazil. With the new markets for niobium, the possibilities only tend to expand.

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Thus, the new niobium markets should contribute to the recovery of the direct and indirect economy in the production sector, with job creation and new possibilities for production and technology.

That is, the demand for niobium products is in the recovery phase amid the challenges that still need to be overcome in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. And the expectation is to expand production to 225 thousand tons per year. This would serve 100% of the Brazilian market, according to the company CBMM.

Investment in niobium technology research looks to the future

According to CBMM's industrial director, Rogério Contacto, somewhere around R$150 to R$200 million were invested in technology research and development in the period corresponding to the pandemic. The sectors involved have already absorbed this recovery around the world.

Capacity was increased to 150 thousand tons per year. And therefore, new niobium markets are now believed to come from technology and research programs.

The technology in SUV models of electric vehicles, in the composition of structures among the new niobium markets, as we mentioned at the beginning, brings positive results in the issue of mobility with sustainability. A production sector in totally innovative technology.

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Partnerships in research is one of the strategies for expanding new niobium markets

More than 200 projects covering sectors such as gyms, universities, technology centers and clients in Brazil and worldwide are being managed by CBMM.

For CBMM's industrial director, Rogério Contacto, the employees involved have all the necessary expertise for the application and expansion of business in new niobium markets.

“The team is qualified and not only knows about niobium or its production processes, it knows where it will be applied. They are specialists in the automotive, industrial, oil and gas and batteries and space applications sectors”, commented Activated in a interview with the newspaper O Estado de Minas.

The city of Araxá, in the Triângulo Mineiro, is home to the largest niobium reserve in operation on the planet. Still according to Contacto, CBMM completed an expansion cycle in which there were around 4 new jobs. Two out of three people are from that region.