Highly efficient nickel-niobia composite catalysts for hydrogenation of CO2 to methane

•Heterogeneous catalysts based on nickel supported on niobia are synthesised.•The catalysts are tested in CO2 hydrogenation to methane in a packed bed reactor.•The catalysts are active and highly selective in CO2 methanation.•A continuous test of 50 h confirmed the stability of the catalysts.•The catalytic performance depends on the treatment temperature and niobia loading.