ASX-listed MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM) has provided a substantial update on the progress of its first Flash Joule Heating (FJH) Demonstration Plant, a pivotal step in the company’s strategy to revolutionise critical metals extraction. The 1-ton-per-day (TPD) facility, targeted for Houston, Texas, remains on schedule to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The process and mechanical design criteria for the demonstration plant are on track to be completed by the end of February 2025. This will pave the way for procurement activities to begin in March, focusing on long-lead items to ensure no delays. MTM is also finalising design optimisation in preparation for the plant’s construction.
"This demonstration plant is a key enabler for several strategic partnerships that MTM is actively pursuing," said Managing Director and CEO Michael Walshe. "It will demonstrate the commercial scalability of our technology, reinforcing our position as a preferred partner for feedstock supply and offtake agreements."
MTM has prioritised Texas as the location for the plant due to its pro-business environment, skilled workforce, and world-class infrastructure. The Gulf Coast region, renowned for its expertise in chemical and industrial processing, offers a strong foundation for scaling advanced technologies like FJH.
The company is in advanced discussions with technology parks and development authorities across the Gulf Coast to leverage pre-existing industrial facilities. This could potentially accelerate project timelines while benefitting from regional incentives that align with the US government’s push to reshore critical manufacturing.
"The Gulf Coast states provide an unparalleled combination of advantages, including streamlined permitting, excellent logistics, and a legacy of industrial innovation," said Walshe. "Our focus on this region aligns perfectly with federal initiatives aimed at enhancing domestic supply chains for critical and strategic materials."
MTM is poised to benefit from a favourable regulatory environment under the Trump Administration, which has emphasised domestic supply chain resilience and advanced manufacturing. With government programs like the US Department of Energy’s $725 million initiative to enhance domestic critical materials processing and the Department of Defense’s use of the Defense Production Act, MTM is actively exploring opportunities for funding support.
"Our plant is not just a technological milestone—it’s a strategic response to the US onshoring movement," Walshe said. "We are uniquely positioned to support domestic supply chain resilience using innovative, American-invented technology."
The demonstration plant’s operations remain on track to commence in Q4 2025. This facility will serve as a crucial proving ground for MTM’s technology, enabling potential customers and partners to validate its capabilities. The plant will also help MTM secure commercial agreements for feedstock supply and product offtake, key to scaling its operations.
Michael Walshe is currently in Texas, along with MTM’s US President Steve Ragiel and their partner, KnightHawk Engineering, overseeing the plant’s design and site selection process.
The Houston demonstration plant marks the cornerstone of MTM’s commercialisation strategy. By establishing a presence in a region known for its industrial and technological prowess, MTM aims to address critical supply chain gaps in metals like gallium and REEs. This aligns with the broader geopolitical shift to reduce reliance on foreign sources for strategic materials.
"Our technology offers a sustainable and economically viable solution to one of the most pressing challenges of our time—ensuring secure and scalable access to critical metals," Walshe concluded.
As MTM moves closer to realising its vision, the demonstration plant will not only validate its technology but also position the company as a leader in US-centric sustainable critical metals extraction. With its unique Flash Joule Heating method and a strong strategic foothold in Texas, MTM is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for secure and efficient critical metal supply chains.