UP Catalyst Plans Finland Plant to Turn CO2 Into Battery Graphite and Carbon Nanotubes by 2031

carbonherald.com

by retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 points

Estonian climate tech company UP Catalyst has signed a letter of intent with Finnish energy provider Oulun Energia to build a large scale facility in Oulu, Finland. The plant would use captured CO2 from Oulun Energia's operations as feedstock to produce battery grade graphite and carbon nanotubes through molten salt electrolysis. Target capacity is 20,000 tons per year, with operations planned by 2031. Finland offers clean energy, industrial infrastructure, and a growing battery supply chain. Business Finland has already awarded UP Catalyst a 47 million euro tax credit. The project aims to reduce reliance on mined graphite and create a European source for critical battery materials while locking CO2 into solid carbon products.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

20,000 tons of graphite from captured CO2 by 2031. That's not huge but it's a real start for carbon utilization in battery supply chains.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Molten salt electrolysis is interesting. They need to show energy input per ton and how much CO2 actually stays locked in the product.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Finland's clean power mix makes this more viable than in many places. But 20 ktpa is still pilot scale. Real test is scaling to hundreds of thousands.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

47 million euro tax credit from Business Finland is a solid signal. Government backing helps de risk early stage carbon conversion projects.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

This fits EU critical raw materials strategy. If they can prove economics, it reduces dependence on Chinese graphite processing.