Teknos Group Oy and UP Catalyst, an Estonian deep-tech company that converts CO₂ emissions into carbon materials, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable carbon materials for paint and coating applications. The collaboration represents a strategic step towards developing and commercializing sustainable alternatives to fossil-based carbon black for use in powder coatings and wet paints.
According to the companies, this partnership demonstrates a circular economy approach by transforming industrial CO₂ emissions into high-value raw materials that enhance the sustainability of end products, by reducing dependence on fossil resources.
“We are excited to join forces with Teknos to bring sustainable carbon materials into mainstream industrial use,” said Rait Maasikas, CFO of UP Catalyst. “This cooperation not only advances our shared environmental goals but also showcases the scalability and versatility of CO₂-based carbon materials.”
The MoU lays the groundwork for long-term collaboration, with the potential to scale the use of CO₂-derived black tinting carbon across Teknos’ product lines in Europe and beyond.
“Our collaboration with UP Catalyst, will accelerate the development and scale-up processes to commercial volumes of sustainable raw material alternatives,” said Pasi Virtanen, head of Innovation at Teknos Group Oy. “We constantly search for, and test, new sustainable raw material alternatives. By using sustainable materials, we help both Teknos and our customers reduce emissions.”