Momentum Technologies and Aquatech Partner to Build US Critical Mineral Refining Platform

## Momentum Technologies and Aquatech Form Strategic Alliance for Critical Mineral Refining Momentum Technologies and water and resource recovery specialist Aquatech have entered into a strategic partnership designed to accelerate domestic critical mineral refining in the United States, according to a joint announcement released via PR Newswire on 11 June 2026. The collaboration, headquartered out of Carrollton, Texas, will combine Momentum's proprietary mineral recovery technologies with Aquatech's advanced water treatment and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) capabilities. Together, the companies aim to deliver what they describe as 'America's first end-to-end critical mineral processing platform.' ### Strategic Significance for Supply Chains The partnership carries notable implications for maritime and industrial supply chains. Critical minerals — including rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, and nickel — are essential inputs for electric vehicle batteries, defence systems, and clean energy infrastructure. The United States has long relied heavily on foreign sources, particularly China, for refined critical minerals, creating strategic vulnerabilities that have drawn increasing attention from policymakers and industry alike. By establishing a domestic end-to-end processing capability, the Momentum-Aquatech venture could reduce dependence on imported refined materials, with downstream effects on bulk commodity shipping volumes and trade routes that currently serve mineral import flows into US ports. ### Technology and Capabilities Momentum Technologies has positioned itself as a leader in the recovery of critical minerals from secondary sources, including electronic waste and industrial byproducts. Aquatech brings decades of experience in water treatment and resource recovery, along with full EPCM project delivery capabilities — a combination the partners say is essential for scaling domestic refining operations efficiently and cost-competitively. The integrated platform is intended to address the full processing chain, from raw material input through to refined mineral output, closing a gap that has historically forced US manufacturers to rely on overseas refining capacity even when domestic ore or feedstock was available. ### Broader Industry Context The announcement comes amid sustained policy momentum in Washington to strengthen domestic critical mineral supply chains, supported by legislation including the Inflation Reduction Act and ongoing executive actions targeting resource security. Investment in domestic processing infrastructure has accelerated across the sector, with both private capital and federal funding flowing into projects aimed at reducing import dependency. For the maritime industry, a structural shift toward domestic critical mineral refining could gradually reshape bulk cargo patterns, particularly affecting transpacific trade lanes that currently carry significant volumes of refined minerals and precursor materials into US ports. Further details on project timelines, facility locations, and processing capacity targets are expected to be disclosed as the partnership progresses.