UP Catalyst: Turning CO₂ into Graphite for European Autonomy

UP Catalyst, a University of Tartu spin-off founded in 2019, is tackling one of Europe’s most pressing vulnerabilities: near-total dependence on China for graphite and carbon nanomaterials. Using a molten-salt electrolysis process first explored by NASA, the Estonian startup transforms captured CO₂ into high-value products such as battery-grade graphite, carbon nanotubes and carbon black. This innovation not only advances EU climate goals but also provides a sovereign, carbon-negative pathway to critical raw materials for batteries, composites and coatings. With Europe importing around 95–99% of its graphite from China, UP Catalyst’s approach represents more than clean tech – it is a matter of strategic autonomy. Supported by the European Investment Bank, the European Innovation Council and Estonia’s SmartCap, the company is scaling pilot facilities in Tallinn to supply Europe’s growing energy storage and defense sectors. By substituting imports with European-made materials, UP Catalyst strengthens the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base and enhances NATO’s resilience in electrification, mobility and infrastructure. Defence Finance Monitor has published a full strategic-technological analysis of UP Catalyst, examining its intellectual property portfolio, corporate identity, partnerships and role in European critical materials strategy. The report details how its patented CO₂-to-graphite process contributes to EU sovereignty, assesses its current capabilities and gaps, and explains why the European Commission has designated its project as strategically important under the Critical Raw Materials framework. DFM also provides a sovereignty score, highlighting UP Catalyst as an emerging critical asset for Europe’s defense and industrial independence. To explore how carbon-negative materials from Estonia could reshape Europe’s battery and defense supply chains, read the complete analysis on Defence Finance Monitor. #UPCatalyst #UniversityofTartu #EIB #EIC #SmartCap #Extantia #Graphite #CarbonNanotubes #CriticalRawMaterials #EuropeanAutonomy #BatteryTech #DefenceFinanceMonitor https://lnkd.in/dNcRvQm3

A-membranes, a Belgian spin-off from the University of Antwerp and VITO founded in 2021, is pioneering grafted ceramic membrane technology that could become a cornerstone of Europe’s strategic autonomy. Its innovation combines the chemical robustness of ceramics with the tunability of organic surface groups, enabling highly selective, durable, and energy-efficient liquid separations. Already proven in industrial pilots, these membranes reduce energy use in chemical processes, recover critical raw materials like palladium, and withstand harsh solvents where conventional polymer membranes fail. By offering a European-made alternative to foreign filtration systems, A-membranes strengthens sovereignty in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and water treatment to advanced manufacturing. Its dual-use potential is equally notable: battlefield water purification, naval endurance through on-board recycling, and even support for space life-support systems all fall within reach of its technology platform. The Defence Finance Monitor profile examines A-membranes’ technology portfolio, corporate structure, and strategic role in Europe’s resilience. The report assesses how its membranes contribute to reducing dependence on non-EU suppliers, the maturity of its industrial pilots, and its relevance for NATO logistics and EU critical infrastructure. It also details the company’s patent base, funding from Horizon Europe consortia, and its integration into European industrial networks. 👉 Read the full company profile on Defence Finance Monitor to access DFM’s assessment of A-membranes, including its contribution to European autonomy, the technological maturity of its membrane systems, and their potential role in EU/NATO logistics, energy resilience, and CBRN protection. #Amembranes #BartCoen #VeraMeynen #AnitaBuekenhoudt #AdvancedMaterials #Cleantech #EuropeanStrategicAutonomy #DefenceFinanceMonitor https://lnkd.in/dEvwnquq

🚀 Exciting Research Update! We are delighted to share our latest publication in Materials Research Bulletin: "Mechanistically Engineered Ag–Fe₃O₄@Co₃O₄ Ternary Nanohybrids on Biomass-Derived Carbon for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors" 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g3w_bCua In this work, we developed a sustainable and ultrahigh-performance electrode by anchoring Ag–Fe₃O₄@Co₃O₄ nanohybrids onto human hair–derived activated carbon using a facile one-pot hydrothermal technique. A brief thermal tuning at 800 °C under inert conditions enabled: ⚡ Molecular-level oxide dualism ⚡ Structural integration of mixed Co²⁺/Co³⁺ and Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ states ⚡ Faster redox kinetics & robust oxide–carbon interactions Advanced characterizations (XPS & synchrotron XAS) confirmed the presence of active redox states, translating into enhanced conductivity, rigidity, and long-term cycling stability. 🌱 This study demonstrates how noble metal–transition metal oxide heterointerfaces, when combined with biomass-derived carbon, can pave the way for eco-friendly and scalable next-generation energy storage devices.

Interested in carbon aerogels? Check out this new Highlight article, featured in our collection on Chemistry at the Forefront of the Sustainable Energy Transition. "Carbon aerogels and xerogels: next-generation materials for sustainable energy and environmental solutions" by David Tomić, Kristina Radinović, Dusan Mladenovic, Jadranka Milikić, Diogo M.F. Santos, Armando J. L. Pombeiro, Anup Paul and Biljana Sljukic This review explores the exciting potential of carbon aerogels and xerogels, highlighting their 3D porous structures, high surface area, and excellent conductivity. These materials are emerging as powerful tools for: ⚡Electrocatalysis  ⚡Energy storage ⚡Environmental remediation The authors delve into synthesis strategies and the use of innovative precursors like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and biomass. They also spotlight metal-decorated and doped gels for enhanced performance. Read the full Highlight article here 👇 https://lnkd.in/ejuvbcMH

Public Funding That Paid Off: How Danish Research Sparked a Technology Revolution 🔬⭐ Organic solar cell research in Denmark began in 2000 at Risø, supported by significant public investment that built strong expertise in printed solar technologies. Over two decades, this work led to industrial breakthroughs, with slot-die coating evolving from a niche technique into a versatile method for producing thin, flexible films with nanometer precision. infinityPV has since expanded its use far beyond solar cells, applying the technology to batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen systems, sensors, membranes, drug delivery, and catalysis. CEO Frederik Krebs believes the original public investment will return tenfold over the long term, showing how early funding can spark innovation with wide-ranging industrial impact. Thanks to: STVF, PSO, FTP, DSF, EUDP - Det Energiteknologiske Udviklings- og Demonstrationsprogram, EU-FP7, DG, KSF, ONRL, IFD, DFG, DG, EliteForsk, Tønder Energi og Miljøfond, Grundfos Foundation | PDJF, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond, Innobooster, M-ERA.NET, European projects in Horizon 2020. 🔗 Read the full article (in Danish) in Børsen: https://lnkd.in/d2TZZQHb

📣 I'm excited to share that my recent review paper, "Graphene-based CO2 capture technologies: environmental assessment and future prospects," has been published in the international journal "Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy" (JCR-Q1-IF=4.5). This work explores the capability of advanced graphene materials (GO, nanosheets, composites) in enabling scalable, durable, and energy-efficient carbon capture solutions. It also emphasizes the role of life cycle assessment (LCA) in evaluating environmental impacts and highlights emerging trends in graphene manufacturing and hybrid systems. Here is the link to the full paper: [https://lnkd.in/dmQRby5m] #Carbon #capture #Graphene #LCA #CleanTechnologiesandEnvironmentalPolicy

A common challenge in catalyst design is that materials are usually either fast or durable, but not both. Professors Yang Shao-Horn, Ju Li, and other researchers developed a new nickel-based catalyst for green hydrogen that is both efficient and stable—thanks to tiny engineered defects. Read more in ACS Publications: https://buff.ly/o1Jr7kl

This month marks the official launch of our new project supported by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia (#372): Harnessing Machine Learning for Green Energy Materials – Insights into MXene/Polyaniline Composite Surfaces (GEMComp). We’ll be sharing updates on our journey toward advancing sustainable energy materials—stay tuned! 🖥️⚡#GEMComp #fondzanauku #dijaspora

🌍 Human curiosity has always driven us to explore and develop new materials, especially within the realm of inorganic elements—metals, minerals, and compounds that form the building blocks of modern technology. From steel and silicon to rare earth elements critical for electronics and renewables, our quest for innovation has shaped our world. However, the astonishing fact remains: we've only discovered and utilized less than 1% of there potential. Developing a new engineered material still takes on average 15 years and 100mln euro of investment to get in the market. The vast ocean of newly engineered materials still largely remains unexplored, holding immense potential for breakthroughs in energy, electronics, medicine, and sustainability. To access the basic resources, we are investing billions in mining operations worldwide, aiming to secure the raw materials essential for future innovations. Yet, extracting the real potential is still a very time-consuming and costly process. This is why I co-founded VSPARTICLE to completely redesign the complete process of developing engineered materials. We are on a process to accelerate the process by 100x to unlock the other 99% in a single generation.

🌍 New Review Published! "Advancements and Challenges of Tailored Engineering of Carbon Materials for Electrolytic CO₂ Reduction to High-Value Carbon Products" The global climate crisis driven by excessive greenhouse gas emissions, especially CO₂, demands urgent and innovative solutions. One promising pathway is the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ into valuable carbon-based products — a transformative approach that not only mitigates emissions but also enables resource recovery and economic opportunities. Our latest review article provides a comprehensive overview of carbon-based catalysts — materials known for their cost-effectiveness, high conductivity, and tunable surface chemistry. We delve into: ✅ The latest advances in catalyst design ✅ Strategies like heteroatom doping and composite formation ✅ A detailed summary of performance metrics (FE, current density, stability) ✅ Key challenges and future directions in this rapidly evolving field 🔬 These tailored materials are central to enabling efficient, selective, and scalable CO₂ conversion technologies for a sustainable future. 💡 This work represents the collective effort of a dedicated research team, and I extend my special thanks to the corresponding authors Dr. SAHIL KOHLI and Dr. Indrani Jha for their leadership and guidance throughout this work. 📖DOI: https://lnkd.in/gThEXWED #CO2Reduction #Electrocatalysis #CarbonMaterials #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CarbonCapture #Research #GreenChemistry #EnergyTransition #NetZero