MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM) has entered a strategic collaboration with New York-headquartered Indium Corporation, a leading supplier of specialty metals, in a transformative move that strengthens the United States' domestic supply of vital technology metals amid growing concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions.
The collaboration, which focuses on the development of a U.S.-based processing solution, utilises MTM’s Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology to recover high-value metals from scrap materials. These include gallium, germanium, indium, and tin, all of which are critical to advanced technologies in industries such as defense, semiconductors, electronics, and renewable energy.
Reducing Vulnerability, Securing Supply
At the heart of the partnership lies a shared commitment to reducing the U.S.'s dependence on China, the dominant global supplier of these critical metals. Chinese export restrictions on materials like gallium and germanium have already sparked concerns about the long-term security of U.S. supply chains, and MTM’s partnership with Indium aims to mitigate these risks by creating an onshore solution for metal recovery.
This timely collaboration aligns with U.S. policy shifts aimed at encouraging onshoring and boosting domestic manufacturing. The partnership is also poised to take advantage of an anticipated increase in federal funding for critical mineral processing, with Indium Corporation supporting a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant application for "Advancing Technology Development for Securing a Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals and Materials."
Innovative, Sustainable Technology for Critical Materials
MTM’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology offers a breakthrough in the recovery of valuable metals from scrap, making it a crucial component of the partnership. By processing scrap materials that contain up to 20% indium, 15% gallium, and 18% germanium, FJH can unlock valuable secondary raw materials, turning waste into a key resource for technology and manufacturing sectors. With the prices of these critical metals soaring due to strong demand and supply constraints, MTM’s technology holds the potential to meet the U.S.'s growing need for reliable, domestically sourced materials.
A Strategic Alliance with National Impact
Michael Walshe, Managing Director and CEO of MTM, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Indium to secure a U.S.-based supply of metals essential to the defense, semiconductor, and high-tech industries.
“This collaboration represents a significant milestone for our company, providing strong external validation of our technology,” he said.
“Together, we are tackling supply chain vulnerabilities with an innovative approach to efficiently recover critical metals domestically, advancing U.S. efforts toward critical metal independence.”
Markus Roas, Global Business Unit Manager at Indium Corporation, echoed this sentiment, adding the MTM partnership aligned with its commitment to enhancing U.S.-based supply chains for critical metals essential to modern technologies.
“FJH technology offers a novel and sustainable solution to recover these vital elements from waste materials, ensuring reliable access without relying on external sources,” he said.
“At Indium, we believe that secondary raw materials and urban mining will become key pillars for the future, and we are excited to support this collaboration in addressing the strategic needs of our industry.”
A Promising Future for U.S. Critical Metal Independence
As global demand for critical technology metals continues to rise, ensuring reliable and sustainable supply chains is crucial. The partnership between MTM and Indium addresses this need by focusing on the domestic recovery and processing of key metals, reducing dependence on foreign sources and helping to mitigate risks associated with potential supply chain disruption.