WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration granted $1.4 million to Woburn-based Phoenix Tailings, a company that has developed technologies to more sustainably mine rare earth metals through a zero-waste approach. The project, funded by the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) at the Center for Advanced Manufacturing will support Phoenix Tailings’ novel approach to metal production, which utilizes highly efficient and carbon neutral processes to create additional value from rare earth metals, such as neodymium and dysprosium. These metals are essential to many critical technologies including electric vehicles, wind turbines, nuclear reactors, and jet engines.
The United States currently depends on China for nearly 97 percent of rare earth metal production, which jeopardizes supply chains for key technologies. Given this outsized reliance, the White House has designated rare earth metal supply chains as strategic national security priorities, and stressed the importance of encouraging domestic production.
“Massachusetts is committed to becoming a leader in climate tech. Supporting companies like Phoenix Tailings is part of that strategy as we aim foster an economy where innovation drives, cleaner, more efficient, and cost-effective production of raw materials,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao. “This M2I2 grant is a strategic investment that not only strengthens our national security imperatives, but also positions Massachusetts to grow an advanced manufacturing ecosystem, creating breakthroughs for cutting-edge industries.”
“Our efforts to build a sustainable future require making smart investments in clean manufacturing and reconceptualizing traditional methods of extraction,” said Christine Nolan, Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. “This investment will create new jobs here in the State, scale metal production, and advance the future of sustainable production in a space that enables high-tech products that we use every day, and is critical to our national security.”
“This grant shows Massachusetts’ commitment to transformative innovation as a cornerstone of our economy,” said Nick Myers, Phoenix Tailings co-founder and CEO. “As Phoenix Tailings leads the revolution in sustainable mining and metals production, we're committed to working with our state government, world-class universities, and partners to create jobs and decarbonize the economy.”
Through traditional methods, metal mining produces 7 percent of the world's carbon emissions each year. Building domestic supply chains in a clean, ecologically sound way is critical to both ensuring national security and building a future that is truly environmentally friendly.
The M2I2 grant will support the establishment of a second production line at Phoenix Tailings’ new facility in Somerville, Mass. The project aims to create nearly two dozen trade jobs that do not require a four-year degree. Phoenix Tailings predicts that by working with industry partners, collaborators, clients, and suppliers, they can create upwards of 100 jobs over the next 5 years.
“I am extremely pleased with the Administration’s investment in Phoenix Tailings and their innovative approach to sustainable, zero-waste approach to rare earth metal production,” said Representative Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn). “This grant will enable high-tech growth in Woburn while also creating quality jobs that support working families in our community. Phoenix Tailings represents the future of manufacturing in Massachusetts: clean, high-tech, and cutting-edge. The commitment to companies like Phoenix Tailings is important as they help us meet our Commonwealth's and nation’s industrial needs.”
“The funding announced today further enables innovation in the hub of high-tech, Greater Boston,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington). “This grant will continue the great work that Phoenix Tailings does in Woburn, increasing the competitiveness of both our nation and our Commonwealth, while also improving sustainability of rare earth metal mining.”
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About the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2)
The Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2) is helping bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization across sectors, from electronics to climate tech to robotics to additive manufacturing. The program provides funding to help Massachusetts organizations transition their technologies to manufacturing. The state has invested over $86 million in business expansion and R&D centers in Massachusetts through M2I2, helping to promote innovation and job growth statewide. M2I2-funded projects have impacted over 170 companies and leveraged over $320 million from outside sources, helping boost the flow of investment in the state and creating over 1000 jobs in Massachusetts. The M2I2 program supports projects that align with one of 14 Manufacturing USA Institutes, a national network of facilities that help U.S advanced manufacturers scale their operations.
About the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at MassTech
The mission of the Massachusetts Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) is to foster the most complete, collaborative, and agile manufacturing ecosystem, to enable business growth from innovation through production. CAM is a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), a public economic development agency tasked with supporting business formation and growth in the Commonwealth’s tech and innovation sectors. CAM provides a path for manufacturing growth through a connected, accessible ecosystem that supports innovation, workforce development and a business-friendly environment. CAM managed programs include the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2), the MassBridge manufacturing training program, and the massmakes.org portal. Learn more at https://cam.masstech.org/.
About Phoenix Tailings
Founded by a team of MIT scientists, Phoenix Tailings has developed proprietary technology to become the first US-based commercial rare earth metal producer. Phoenix Tailings’ proprietary system economically extracts and processes rare earth metals and other critical minerals from existing mining waste with zero carbon emissions. By “re-mining” mining waste, Phoenix Tailings is able to domestically consolidate an entire supply chain to deliver essential materials to manufacturers at a fraction of the current cost and without the carbon footprint.