Metallium Limited is set to commission its first Flash Joule Heating processing line in Texas by December 2025, expanding capacity fivefold and adding a second rare earth demonstration line. This move positions the company as a key player in non-Chinese critical metals refining amid tightening Chinese export controls.
- First Flash Joule Heating line commissioning on track for December 2025
- Plant capacity expanded from 350 to 8,000 tonnes per annum PCB feed
- Second demonstration line for rare earth and semiconductor feedstocks added
- Technology offers low-emission, China-independent refining pathway
- Options secured for additional U.S. processing sites in Massachusetts and Virginia
Strategic Expansion in Texas
Metallium Limited has announced significant progress at its Gator Point Technology Campus in Chambers County, Texas, with commissioning of its first Flash Joule Heating (FJH) processing line scheduled for December 2025. This facility marks a major milestone as Metallium scales its operations from an initial 350 tonnes per annum (tpa) of printed circuit board (PCB) feed to an expanded 8,000 tpa capacity, a fivefold increase that underscores the company's ambition to become a leading U.S.-based processor of critical and precious metals.
The FJH technology, patented by Metallium, is notable for its ability to process a diverse range of feedstocks including electronic waste, magnet scrap, mine tailings, and mineral concentrates. This flexibility is particularly valuable in the current geopolitical climate, where China's recent tightening of export restrictions on rare earth elements (REE) and refining technology has intensified the need for alternative supply chains.
Responding to Global Supply Chain Pressures
China's expanded export controls now require government approval for products containing even trace amounts of rare earth materials, including refining equipment and processing technology. Metallium's response is a dual-pronged approach, not only is it ramping up its Texas facility, but it is also adding a second demonstration line dedicated to processing REE tailings, refinery residues, and semiconductor feedstocks such as gallium and germanium. This line aims to support partners seeking a domestic, non-Chinese refining pathway, a critical capability as Western countries seek to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.
Metallium's collaboration with Ucore Rare Metals Inc. further strengthens its position, combining FJH's upgrading process with Ucore's RapidSX™ separation technology to create a fully U.S.-based rare earth refining system. This partnership offers unmatched feedstock flexibility and modularity, capable of handling everything from mine concentrates to magnet scrap, which is a significant step toward supply chain resilience.
Alignment with U.S. National Security Priorities
The timing of Metallium's expansion aligns closely with U.S. government initiatives aimed at securing critical minerals for defense and high-tech industries. The Pentagon's accelerated stockpiling of materials such as antimony, cobalt, indium, and rare earths highlights the strategic importance of domestic refining capacity. Metallium's Texas facility, with its low-emission, multi-feedstock processing capability, positions the company as a key contributor to these national security objectives.
Beyond Texas, Metallium holds exclusive options for additional processing sites in Massachusetts and Virginia, both strategically located near high e-waste generating regions and equipped with existing industrial infrastructure. This multi-site expansion strategy provides a scalable platform to meet growing U.S. demand and respond swiftly to policy shifts or market opportunities.
Looking Ahead
With all major process systems ordered and site upgrades underway, Metallium is poised to commence commissioning on schedule and ramp up operations through early 2026. The staged development approach balances immediate commercial readiness with future scalability, enabling the company to expand capacity to 16,000 tpa PCB feed as market conditions allow.
Metallium's technology and strategic positioning offer a compelling alternative to traditional, China-dependent refining routes, potentially reshaping the critical metals landscape in the United States and allied countries. As global trade tensions and supply chain disruptions persist, the company's progress will be closely watched by investors and policymakers alike.
Bottom Line?
Metallium’s Texas facility launch signals a pivotal shift toward U.S. rare earth refining independence amid escalating global supply chain tensions.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly can Metallium scale beyond Stage-1 capacity to meet rising U.S. demand?
- What government funding or contracts might Metallium secure to support its expansion?
- How will Metallium’s technology performance compare to established Chinese refining processes?