University of Tartu’s spin-off UP Catalyst secures €4 million in funding to reduce Europe’s reliance on Chinese carbon materials

The company will utilise the funds to scale up their local production of carbon materials and graphite derived from CO₂ emissions, offering a sustainable alternative source of raw materials to European battery manufacturers.

UP Catalyst a pioneer in sustainable carbon material production directly from CO₂ emissions, successfully closed a €4 million seed investment round to advance its ground-breaking technology.

The funding occurred amidst China’s announcement of graphite export curbs that has added urgency to the quest for local battery raw material alternatives. This is particularly crucial given that Europe currently depends on graphite imports for 99% of its supply. With the funding, the company will build an industrial pilot reactor capable of processing 100 tons of CO₂ annually and producing 27 tons of carbon materials, making UP Catalyst the largest provider of green graphite in the world.

University of Tartu’s spin-off UP Catalyst secures €4 million in funding to reduce Europe’s reliance on Chinese carbon materials | Tartu Ülikool (ut.ee)