Estonian UP Catalyst to take part in the EU strategic raw materials initiative

Estonian startup UP Catalyst has made it to the list of 47 companies that the European Commission has chosen to strengthen the commodity chain. Other participants in the initiative include startups from Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Poland and Romania.

UP Catalyst, an Estonian company, produces environmentally friendly carbon nanomaterials and catalysts synthesized from CO2. The company converts carbon dioxide CO2 into graphite for lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, electric cars and other devices. The startup's solutions can be used in construction, manufacturing, medical and space applications. UP Catalyst is founded in 2019. Founders: scientists Ivar Kruusberg, Sander Ratso and Kätlin Kaare from the University of Tartu.

According to a statement from the European Commission, UP Catalyst and other strategic projects will help the EU fully meet its lithium and cobalt mining, processing and recycling targets by 2030, as well as making progress in graphite, nickel and manganese mining. €22.5B will be invested in the program.