CBMM has plans to increase sales of niobium products and with that, the company wants to diversify the market, starting with the automotive sector, in the segment of electric car batteries 

CBMM, a Brazilian company with headquarters and control in the country, markets industrialized niobium products worldwide. The company has invested between R$150 million and R$200 million per year in research and innovation in the use of metal. CBMM has plans to increase sales of niobium and thus opens up new strategies to attract different sectors, such as the automotive sector, in the segment of batteries in electric cars.  

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Plan to double CBMM's niobium sales 

By 2030, with the increase in the number of niobium products, CBMM needs to diversify the sales market and with that, invests from 150 million reais to 200 million reais per year in research and innovation of metals. According to company estimates, in ten years the amount of niobium used outside of traditional uses in the steel industry will represent 35% of total sales.  

Among the main bets outside the core business is the automotive sector, in terms of batteries for electric cars. However, the largest share of investments in research and innovation still comes from the steel industry, which plans to receive 100 million reais in 2021. 

Rodrigo Amado, executive manager of Strategy and New Business at CBMM, says that “Our core continues to be a great source of growth for the next five or ten years. The whole world wants niobium to make the lightest, highest-strength steel.” 

Investment in electric car batteries 

Another area of ​​research and development in the steel industry is the automotive sector, with a focus on battery plans. The company estimates that, in ten years, the battery business for electric cars will represent a significant portion (approximately 25%) of niobium sales outside the steel industry. 

The executive manager says that they are negotiating with international start-ups that can accelerate the development of this field. According to Rodrigo, batteries are far from being the only application of niobium in the automotive sector, which he says can be used in chargers, brake systems, some wheels and the car's own design. With the use of niobium in parts and implements, the car becomes lighter and more efficient, adds Amado.