Creating a green future
Dr. Gary Urb
Co-founder of UP Catalyst
UP Catalyst transforms CO₂-rich flue gases from both biogenic and hard-to-abate sources into low-cost, high-quality and energy-efficient carbon materials using its proprietary Molten Salt Carbon Capture and Electrochemical Transformation (MSCC-ET) technology.
UP Catalyst has been developing, testing and perfecting the method since 2019 to produce renewable carbon nanotubes and battery-grade graphite, offering a local alternative to heavily imported critical raw materials.
By 2030, UP Catalyst plans to establish a large-scale industrial facility capable of producing 60,000 tons of carbon materials annually, utilising approximately 250,000 tons of CO₂ in the process.
The company has secured an €18 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), obtained €8 million in grants, and raised €6 million in equity funding.
We produce high-quality carbon materials without harming the planet.
We produce climate neutral carbon materials directly from CO₂ emissions using only
CO₂ and green electricity as main components.
Achieved proof of concept for producing carbon materials from CO₂ and validated our MVP in the laboratory at the University of Tartu.
Founded UP Catalyst and started manufacturing carbon materials in small quantities.
Lab-scale table-top reactors actively producing carbon materials. Improving the quality of our products based on partners’ and clients’ feedback.
Finalised Generation 2 reactor with production capacity of 1.5 kg of carbon material per day. Closed €0.5M pre-seed funding round led by Sunly Innovation.
Secured €763,000 grant from grant from EAS-Enterprise Estonia. Closed €4M seed funding round led by Extantia Climate Flagship II GmbH and SmartCap Green Fund.
Successfully launched a container-sized reactor with a production capacity of 2.5 tons per year. Secured €2.5M from Enterprise Estonia based on a Seal of Excellence from the EIC Accelerator grant. Closed seed extension funding round of €2.3M led by Warsaw Equity Group and SmartCap Green Fund. Obtained an €18M loan from the European Investment Bank.
Selected as a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. Signed a MoU with Teknos to develop sustainable carbon materials for paints and coatings. Independent testing confirmed the high conductivity of our CNTs and the battery-grade performance of our CO₂-derived graphite.
Partnered with SGC Energy to bring sustainable CNT and graphite production to South Korea. Advanced plans for our first commercial plant in Oulu, Finland, supported by an investment tax credit from Business Finland.
