TechMet separates US portfolio

August 11, 2026

TechMet founder and chair Brian Menell says the company’s formation of a US-focused subsidiary marked an “acceleration of TechMet's commitment to build out our US domestic critical minerals production processing platform”.

The launch of TechMet USA, described by Menell as a dedicated domestic critical minerals platform, coincided with an announcement in Washington DC of a further US$2 billion of federal loans, grants, and direct equity investments to support material and component supply to US industry. Funding was earmarked for domestic and offshore ventures, including the Syerston scandium project in Australia.

TechMet USA consolidates TechMet’s US portfolio of producing and late-stage development assets, held through EnergySource Minerals, US Vanadium, Momentum Technologies and Xerion Advanced Battery Corp. Former NatureWorks CEO and experienced executive Erik Ripple was appointed CEO of the US business.

“We are delighted to welcome Erik as CEO and look forward to working with him as he leads TechMet USA at a pivotal moment for critical minerals supply chains and the economic, industrial and national security benefits they enable for the United States,” Menell said.

TechMet’s major shareholders include the US International Development Finance Corporation and several TechMet USA assets have received funding support from US government agencies. The company says it has established commercial relationships with domestic OEMs, commodity traders, strategic national security projects, national labs and other stakeholders securing reliable supplies of critical materials and supply chains.

“TechMet USA brings together a high-quality portfolio of US critical minerals assets that are well positioned to strengthen America’s critical minerals supply chains against physical, cyber and economic subversion,” Ripple said.

“My focus will be on advancing these assets, building strategic and commercial partnerships and accelerating growth to ensure American industry has secure, resilient and Western-aligned supply chains.”

TechMet chief strategic development officer Helaina Matza told the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington June the mining and investment communities were in “probably the most super-charged time in critical minerals policy” history.

“The aperture has opened,” Matza said.

“Critical minerals isn’t just about EV supply chains, it’s about AI, it’s about defence ... It’s a bigger story and narrative.

“And while that wasn’t not the case before it really is governing so many of the conversations happening now, both in industry and in policy circles.”