Key characteristics
A powerful enabler of progress in diverse sectors
The strategic relevance of a material today can often be measured by its direct contribution to progress, technological advances and the global shift towards cleaner energy. Well-known resources such as lithium and rare earth elements are already central to the energy transition due to their widespread use in essential applications. Similarly, niobium – a lesser-known element – has in recent years proven its value in a range of innovative fields.
Niobium is a rare transition metal prized for its unique properties, notably its resistance to corrosion and capacity to withstand extreme temperatures. These traits have made it indispensable in several modern applications that drive innovation. Its impact is most evident in aerospace, where high-temperature alloys containing niobium are utilised in jet engines, rockets and spacecraft components. These alloys deliver both strength and reduced weight, improving vehicle efficiency and lowering 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’s contribution to the energy transition
Niobium is also gaining traction in electric mobility, a key driver of the current energy transition. It is under evaluation as a potential component for battery anodes, offering improvements in both battery safety and longevity. As the sector strives for innovations that enhance performance and reduce charging times, niobium could prove revolutionary in enabling next-generation solutions.
In infrastructure and construction, niobium’s natural characteristics are equally valuable. When added to materials like steel, it creates stronger, more ductile and more resilient composites, ideal for building lightweight, safe and long-lasting 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”.
Unlocking new potential
For any material to be truly strategic in the age of energy transition, it must be integrated into modern energy infrastructure. Niobium has established itself in this regard, with its alloys playing an increasingly important role in creating stronger and more efficient wind turbines. Furthermore, niobium is integral to the manufacturing of superconductors, which are indispensable for advanced 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 also makes a notable contribution to the medical technology field, particularly in orthopaedic prosthetics, dental implants and medical devices. Its resistance to corrosion makes it especially suitable for long-term use inside the human body, enhancing its appeal as a resource of both industrial and medical significance.
