Boston Metal is shifting gears. The green steel startup is betting on critical metals over steel itself.

After raising $75 million, the company is doubling down on niobium, tantalum, nickel, and others. The move comes amid fading US support for industrial decarbonization.

Boston Metal’s molten oxide electrolysis tech heats ore to 1,600 °C, separating metals without carbon emissions. Their Brazilian subsidiary is building a plant to produce niobium, tantalum, and tin from low-grade materials. The plant faced delays and a costly electrolyte leak but aims to open by September 2026.

Niobium and tantalum are not household names. Niobium strengthens steel alloys and powers jet engines and MRI magnets. Tantalum finds use in aerospace turbines, medical implants, and electronics. These metals fetch higher prices than steel, making them a smarter short-term bet.

The fresh funding will also back projects targeting chromium production in the US. Chromium is vital for stainless steel but mostly imported today. Boston Metal has raised over half a billion dollars total, including backing from Tata Steel Unlimited.

DOE Pushes Domestic Critical Minerals Processing

The Department of Energy is not standing still. It awarded $45.7 million to 19 projects focused on rare earths, magnesium, and recovery tech. The goal: move critical minerals processing onshore from foreign supply chains.

America has mineral wealth but imports most processing capacity. The DOE’s funding targets pilot-scale facilities and next-gen tech to recover materials from ore, waste, and recycled feedstocks. The strategy aims to secure supply chains for energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing.

Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson emphasized reshoring minerals production as key to national security and energy independence. The investments span from magnesium to rare earth elements, vital for batteries, electronics, and clean energy technologies.

New Sites and Partnerships Signal Industry Momentum

Graphite One secured a new industrial site in Conneaut, Ohio, to build a lithium battery anode plant. The location offers rail access, Lake Erie shipping, and power infrastructure—critical for scaling production. The plant targets delivering graphite materials to North American battery supply chains by late 2027.

Titan Mining is eyeing germanium recovery from zinc mine waste in New York. Germanium is a niche semiconductor metal used in infrared optics, fiber optics, solar cells, and advanced chips. Their deal with Teck Resources brings expertise to extract germanium from existing processing streams. This approach turns old zinc mines into new critical mineral sources.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s critical minerals sector gains a $3 billion credit line from BNDES, the country’s development bank. This funding boost supports exploration and production of strategic metals, reinforcing Brazil’s role in the global supply chain.

Boston Metal, DOE projects, and private-sector moves show a clear trend: critical metals are the new battleground for supply security and clean tech. Steel decarbonization remains tough. But chasing higher-value metals offers a more viable path forward—for investors and industrial policy alike.