"Niobium has been promoted, during the last 20 years into a very important component of the world steel industry. Forecasters are predicting that the consumption will continue growing at the rate of 8-10%." Another key statement from from the article.
Just as the Wright brothers built the first airplane only 100 years ago, the uses of Niobium are also being heavily pioneered. We are in the industrial revolution where stronger, lighter metals are at the forefront.