Estonian company UP Catalyst has announced plans to produce battery-grade graphite and carbon nanotubes from captured carbon dioxide emissions in Finland. The project uses CO2 molten salt electrolysis technology and is backed by a letter of intent with Finnish energy firm Oulun Energia. UP Catalyst aims to start commercial production by 2031. Finland offers reliable clean energy and strong industrial infrastructure for this scale-up. The company also received a 47 million euro tax credit from Business Finland to support the investment. Converting CO2 into solid carbon products like graphite could help reduce reliance on Asian supply chains while cutting emissions. However, the article notes challenges including high energy costs, strict environmental regulations, and difficulty competing with cheaper Asian graphite producers. The project represents a test case for whether Europe can build a domestic supply chain for critical battery materials using captured carbon.
