Revolutionizing the Minerals Market: Purdue Professor Invents Technology to Recycle Critical Elements from Batteries

Purdue University Professor Linda Wang has developed a new technology that could help America strengthen its position in the minerals market by recycling critical elements from batteries. ReElement Technologies, a Fishers-based company, has been using this technology to extract rare earth elements from used batteries and resin-filled tubes. Dave Sauve, the Chief Marketing Officer of ReElement Technologies, describes their company as a “midstream refiner” with the long-term goal of decentralizing the rare earth element supply chain, which is currently dominated by China.

According to Sauve, their technology is capable of purifying freshly mined ore into a commercially viable product, which he describes as an “industry game changer.” This material is much-needed and environmentally safer for the domestic supply chain of critical materials. Currently, ReElement Technologies provides its services to U.S. producers of recycled and ore-sourced rare earth metals. However, Sauve expresses excitement about the potential for the technology to be utilized on-site at overseas mines and manufacturers in the future.

While he acknowledges that the United States may not overtake China in the market, Sauve believes that their new technology will still impact China’s current monopoly on the critical mineral market. With this new technology in place, America can become more self-sufficient in terms of critical minerals and reduce its reliance on foreign sources for these essential materials.