CBMM has teamed up with Germany-based innolectric AG, a provider of charging and power systems for electromobility, to investigate whether nanocrystalline magnetic materials can significantly increase efficiency in electromobility.

Nanocrystalline is a soft magnetic material composed of 82% iron which has been dubbed the future of magnetic materials in power electronics.  Higher permeability means lower loss transformers, which can translate to large reductions in size and weight.

CBMM and innoelectric aim to publish a study that compares soft magnetic nanocrystalline and ferrite-based magnets in terms of thermal behaviour, size, cost, and efficiency. This will provide insights into the effects of using niobium in terms of volume savings and optimized heat conduction.

CBMM’s raison d'être is the grow the niobium market, as it has done since the 1960s.  Over the past four decades, it has successfully championed the use of niobium, and has slowly built demand for its core product: ferroniobium.  The Brazilian company is now focussed on developing new applications for niobium, and notably intends the battery market to account for as much as 25% of its revenue by 2030.  Reports suggest that the company expects to boost its overall niobium oxide sales from current levels of around 100tpy to at least 45ktpy in 2030. 

Nanocrystalline represents another new market with upside for niobium demand.  While it is impossible to predict whether this area will see large market growth in future, Project Blue is certain that CBMM will dedicate considerable R&D budget to finding out. 

Project Blue expects the niobium market to grow at a CAGR of 2.2% over the period to 2027.  Our base case sees demand in batteries increasing, although not at the rate envisaged by CBMM.  R&D into the next-generation materials for lithium-ion is extensive and many metals are slated as “the next big thing” for anode and cathode technology.  But if one or more niobium-based battery technology is commercialised it could represent a huge new area of demand for niobium.