In a world reliant on critical minerals and metals to fuel the shift toward renewable energy, companies like Momentum Technologies are challenging the industry to provide solutions to supply and extraction challenges. With a focus on sustainable recovery of high-purity critical materials, Momentum leverages its cutting-edge MSX technology to address supply chain vulnerabilities, reduce environmental impact, and support the circular economy. In an exclusive interview, the team at Momentum discussed the workings of their technology and how they’re positioned to make a lasting impact.

MiningFeeds: Momentum Technologies focuses on recovering high-purity critical minerals and metals. Could you explain how your MSX technology works and how it addresses current challenges in the supply chain for these materials?

Momentum Technologies: The MSX process combines five extraction steps into one, by using a special porous membrane system. The membranes are designed to capture selected metal ions in the process and transfer that metal ion through the pore, via a chemical process, into a highly pure solution on the other side of the membrane. This selectivity generates a high-purity solution for each critical material we are attempting to recover.

The MSX process represents a platform technology that can extract a wide range of metals from a number of recycled products. The process also performs well across a range of inputs of materials, including different types of batteries and magnets. Since the process is highly modular, it can be located near the supply of recycled materials, such as End-Of-Life Electric Vehicles. This means that the MSX technology can recover more than just battery metals and will be able to augment the supply of a much broader range of critical materials, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, reducing the logistical costs incurred by recycling, and creating a closed-loop circular process.

Momentum is setting itself apart from traditional methods with its modular approach. Momentum’s MSX technology stands out in its adaptability and efficiency, responding to the demand for sustainable critical mineral extraction.

MiningFeeds: The demand for critical minerals and metals is increasing as the world transitions to renewable energy. How does Momentum’s modular MSX technology stand out as a solution to meet this growing need?

Momentum Technologies: Momentum Technologies is uniquely positioned to address this increasing demand through our MSX technology, which is highly modular and adaptable. Unlike traditional large-scale processing plants, our technology is designed to be flexible, allowing for the co-location of small plants that can expand as needed. This modularity ensures that we can scale quickly to meet the growing demand for critical minerals while maintaining profitability across different capacities. Our technology has been tested and proven at various scales—from lab and pilot units to a demonstration plant, showing the robustness of the solution in real-world conditions. Additionally, MSX provides a future-proof process that can handle changes in feedstock composition and adjust to evolving market needs.

Momentum’s technology is an answer to an industry plagued by large-scale infrastructure needs. Its adaptability to scale as needed is crucial as the global demand for these materials intensifies, placing the company in an advantageous position to meet evolving market demands sustainably.

MiningFeeds: You emphasize the importance of localized, closed-loop recovery systems for critical minerals. How does this model reduce the environmental footprint compared to traditional mining methods?

Momentum Technologies: Momentum’s closed-loop recovery systems are designed to minimize the environmental impact associated with traditional mining and refining. By focusing on recycling end-of-life batteries and industrial waste, we avoid the environmental degradation caused by mining new materials. Our decentralized approach allows us to co-locate smaller, modular processing plants closer to the source of waste, reducing transportation-related emissions and the overall carbon footprint. Additionally, the MSX technology is highly efficient, utilizing waste heat and other by-products within the process, further reducing energy consumption and waste generation. This model not only preserves natural resources but also provides a more sustainable solution for recovering critical minerals essential for the energy transition.

Momentum’s focus on recycling end-of-life materials and setting up plants near waste sources helps cut down the carbon footprint of mineral recovery. Their commitment to sustainability reflects their drive to address the environmental consequences of traditional mining.

MiningFeeds: Momentum’s MSX technology achieves recovery rates of 95% or more and 99% purity. Could you discuss how you maintain such high standards while keeping operating costs low?

Momentum Technologies: The standards are maintained by processing the metals by specific membranes specifically treated and operated to maintain product purity standards. The processing is performed in stages, where all unwanted metals are removed and only pure target metals in solution remain. Routine, end-of-process sampling is performed to ensure that the proper purity is reached.

The process is also continuous, so once purity standards are reached, they can be maintained automatically by using automated sensor systems. This continuous process, along with automation, dramatically lowers operating costs.

Finally, any residual solution with target metal present is recycled back into the plant so that yield loss remains very low. This also reduces waste and reagent usage since nearly all the reagents are recycled back into the system.

Momentum’s system stands as an example of achieving excellence in purity and yield while keeping costs manageable, a goal that many in the industry struggle to reach without significant expense.

MiningFeeds: You mention that the end-of-life for batteries is becoming obsolete with your system. How does your technology contribute to a circular economy in the energy and electronics industries?

Momentum Technologies: Our MSX technology is a critical enabler of the circular economy by allowing us to recycle valuable metals from end-of-life batteries and industrial waste, rather than relying on virgin material extraction. By recovering over 95% of the metals in a highly purified state, we can reintroduce these materials into the production cycle, reducing the need for new mining activities. This process not only conserves finite natural resources but also ensures that the value of these metals is preserved and reused, minimizing waste. Additionally, the flexibility of our technology means it can adapt to different types of feedstocks, making it a versatile solution for the electronics and energy sectors, both of which are increasingly focused on sustainability and resource efficiency.

Momentum’s success in recycling materials from end-of-life batteries emphasizes their role in the circular economy, a model that aims to reduce waste and maximize resource use. This flexibility makes their technology particularly suited to the ever-evolving landscape of the electronics and energy sectors.

MiningFeeds: Momentum works with partners like TechMet, Cirba Solutions, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. How do these collaborations support the development and scaling of your technology?

Momentum Technologies: Our partnerships with organizations like TechMet, Cirba Solutions, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory play a vital role in accelerating the development and scaling of our MSX technology. These collaborations provide both strategic and operational support, whether it’s through funding, technical expertise, or joint research efforts. For example, Oak Ridge National Lab has been instrumental in helping validate the results of our lab-scale tests, which has de-risked the technology and facilitated its scaling to commercial levels. Similarly, our investors, like TechMet, bring both financial resources and valuable industry connections, which enable us to expand rapidly and pursue new market opportunities.

Momentum’s strategic partnerships provide a backbone to their operations, offering technical, financial, and research support that accelerates their scaling process and opens doors for broader market integration.

MiningFeeds: Your CEO, Mahesh Konduru, recently spoke on the S&P Global podcast. Could you share some key insights from that discussion about Momentum’s role in the energy transition?

Momentum Technologies: During the podcast, Mahesh Konduru highlighted several critical aspects of Momentum Technologies’ approach to advancing the energy transition. A core message was that Momentum’s MSX technology addresses some of the most pressing challenges in critical mineral recovery and supply chain security. Mahesh emphasized that as the world transitions to cleaner energy, the demand for critical metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel will soar. However, traditional mining and extraction methods are not only environmentally taxing but also struggle to meet this growing demand.

Momentum’s solution lies in its modular, decentralized approach to recycling end-of-life batteries and industrial waste, effectively creating a circular economy for these metals. By recovering over 95% of metals and achieving 99% purity, the MSX technology ensures that valuable resources are reused efficiently, reducing dependence on virgin material extraction. This approach is not just about environmental sustainability but also about economic security, as it helps mitigate the risks associated with global supply chain vulnerabilities.

Additionally, Mahesh spoke about the importance of co-location, where Momentum places its plants near the source of waste materials. This not only reduces transportation costs and emissions but also strengthens local economies, creating jobs and fostering sustainable development in regions where the plants operate. By enabling rapid deployment and scalability, Momentum can contribute to the energy transition while ensuring that the economic benefits of these new technologies are shared with the communities involved.

Momentum’s mission aligns seamlessly with the urgent demands of a cleaner energy economy, merging ecological responsibility with job creation and economic stability.

MiningFeeds: Momentum’s modular systems promise a profitable alternative to traditional processing. How do you ensure that communities and local governments see the economic benefits of adopting your technology?

Momentum Technologies: Momentum Technologies focuses on creating local economic value by co-locating our modular processing plants near waste sources, such as battery manufacturing sites or recycling centers. This minimizes transportation costs and creates jobs within the local community. Additionally, our plants operate with a small footprint, which allows us to partner with local governments and private enterprises to set up processing facilities that benefit the local economy. By offering flexible business models such as tolling agreements or build-operate-maintain contracts, we provide communities with scalable solutions that support both local job creation and sustainable development. Our approach also includes close collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that the economic and environmental benefits are aligned with local priorities.

Momentum’s approach of integrating local communities highlights their dedication to ensuring that the benefits of their operations extend beyond environmental impact to include socioeconomic growth.

MiningFeeds: Looking ahead, what should investors, partners, and customers expect from Momentum Technologies in terms of new projects and technological advancements over the next year?

Momentum Technologies: Momentum Technologies is on track to expand its operations significantly in the coming year. Our Ohio commercial plant, with a processing capacity of 2,000 tons per year, will serve as a model for future deployments both in the U.S. and internationally. We are also exploring additional projects in Europe and Southeast Asia, where the demand for critical minerals recycling is growing rapidly. Our continued focus on refining black mass at scale, combined with advancements in our MSX technology, ensures that we will lead the market in both efficiency and profitability. Investors can expect further innovations in our modular plant design, making it even more adaptable and scalable across different markets and geographies.