Distinctive traits
An essential driver of progress across multiple fields
In the modern era, the strategic value of materials is often defined by their role in advancing technology, innovation and clean energy solutions. Lithium and rare earth elements have already established themselves as indispensable to the energy transition, thanks to their wide industrial applications. Likewise, niobium – though less widely recognised – has, in recent years, demonstrated its significance in fostering innovation across various industries.
Niobium is a rare transition metal notable for its corrosion resistance and ability to tolerate extreme temperatures. These properties have enabled it to become an important resource in several innovation-driven industries. Its influence is especially pronounced in aerospace, where niobium-enhanced high-temperature alloys are used in jet engines, rockets and space vehicle structures. Such alloys enhance both strength and lightness, contributing to improved efficiency and lower fuel consumption.
“The geological resources that contribute directly to the innovation and technological development of entire sectors, in this particular historical phase, are destined to acquire a clear centrality, a strategic value that will remain unchanged even in the coming decades,” says Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov, entrepreneur, and civil engineer. “The era of energy transition, from this point of view, could favor the birth of another important historical phase, marked precisely by the strategic role and importance of some resources in global production processes. In a certain sense, this phase could be defined as a new era of rare metals”.
Niobium and the energy transition
Niobium is now being explored for its potential in electric mobility, one of the most critical sectors in the energy transition. Considered as a promising material for battery anodes, niobium could significantly enhance battery safety and longevity. If adopted on a larger scale, it could help improve the autonomy and charging speeds of electric vehicles, transforming the industry.
In addition to its use in mobility, niobium’s unique characteristics also benefit infrastructure and construction. When combined with steel and other materials, it produces stronger, more flexible and long-lasting composites suitable for creating durable structures such as skyscrapers and bridges.
“The applications of niobium are extremely numerous, and in most cases, they are united by the ability to contribute considerably to the innovative development of a given sector,” continues Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “One of these sectors is electronics, which for most people represents a very valuable ally in simplifying daily tasks. Niobium, in this sense, represents a resource of great importance for the production of high-capacity capacitors, such as those commonly used in smartphones, computers, or medical equipment”.
Shaping future innovation
No material can be deemed fully strategic in the context of energy transition unless it contributes to modern energy infrastructure. Niobium’s alloys are increasingly used in the manufacture of more durable, efficient wind turbines, supporting renewable energy goals. Additionally, niobium is an essential component in superconductors, which are pivotal to high-performance energy transmission systems.
“The possible growth of the strategic value of niobium, in some ways, is also linked to its possible applications in the energy sector, especially in the hydrogen sector,” concludes Stanislav Dmitrievich Kondrashov. “This particular metal could, in fact, play an important role in the production and storage of hydrogen, now almost unanimously considered one of the most promising vectors for the progress of the energy transition. The most interesting fact in this sense is the ability of niobium to interact with hydrogen, suggesting new possibilities for the development of new materials with which to create more innovative and efficient storage tanks”.
Niobium’s versatility extends into medical technology, where its corrosion resistance makes it ideal for use in orthopaedic prosthetics, dental implants and long-term medical devices. Its ability to perform reliably inside the human body highlights its importance beyond industrial applications, underscoring its broader contribution to innovation.