(Aspiring Materials: Christchurch, New Zealand) -- Aspiring Materials, an innovative leader in critical mineral extraction, is expanding to the United States to help solve one of the most urgent challenges facing American industry: secure and sustainable access to critical minerals. Building on the success of its pilot plant in New Zealand, the company is planning its first U.S. commercial-scale operation in Washington state, with additional locations under consideration.

The U.S. faces major risks in sourcing critical minerals such as magnesium and nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) hydroxides that are essential inputs for industrial processes, electrification, and clean energy technologies. Industries depend heavily on imports from a small number of countries, exposing supply chains to geopolitical tensions, bottlenecks, and environmental concerns. Moreover, conventional processes for these minerals are not only resource-intensive but also pollute ecosystems and generate significant harmful byproducts.

Instead, Aspiring Materials uses its patented, waste-free process to extract critical minerals from olivine—an abundant, low-cost rock with more than a trillion tonnes of deposits in the U.S. alone. The result is reliable, domestic production of magnesium hydroxide, NCM hydroxide, and reactive silica without the environmental damage traditionally associated with mining and refining. The process produces no carbon dioxide emissions, no toxic waste, and generates only saltwater as a byproduct, which is recycled through electrolysis to regenerate the chemicals needed for the front end of its process. Byproducts of the chemical electrolysis are oxygen and green hydrogen, which have value in their own right, demonstrating that every output is used for additional value creation.

“Our technology delivers more than just critical minerals,” says Colum Rice, chief commercial officer of Aspiring Materials. “Bringing Aspiring Materials’ technology to the U.S. not only resolves significant supply chain risks, it can also unlock enduring economic benefits. Jobs are created through the construction of new facilities, high-quality operational jobs sustain local economies, and new energy demands stimulate further infrastructure development. Moreover, a sustainable domestic supply of critical minerals drives innovation and supports long-term competitiveness.”

Aspiring Materials’ Christchurch facility, opened in March 2025, has proven that the process works at scale. The patented method is completely circular, producing zero waste and no carbon dioxide emissions. Compared to traditional mineral production processes, each metric tonne of olivine processed can offset up to 1.6 metric tonnes of CO_₂, delivering a powerful climate benefit alongside critical mineral supply.

“Aspiring Materials offers the U.S. a solution that increases self-sufficiency in critical mineral and essential material production,” says Mark Chadderton, CEO of Aspiring Materials. “By onshoring the process, using domestic resources, U.S. manufacturers can gain confidence in both supply chain certainty and long-term cost control. Our process is the perfect recipe to transform a low-value resource into high-value minerals and materials that are critical to economic and national security.”

Co-founders Chadderton and Chris Oze, along with CCO Rice, toured the U.S. to meet with investors, technology collaborators, and joint venture partners throughout May. Their tour began in San Francisco and culminated at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C., in mid-May.

The company’s innovations and leadership have earned international recognition. Chadderton and Oze are Breakthrough Energy Fellows, and the company is an Elemental Impact portfolio company, an APAC Cleantech 25 honoree, one of 10 companies selected for the PepsiCo APAC Greenhouse Accelerator, and a nominee for the 2025 Earthshot Prize.

Aspiring Materials is backed by leading New Zealand investors including Icehouse Ventures, Outset Ventures, Motion Capital, and K1W1, among others. The company is currently raising capital to fund the next phase of growth, including continuous production capabilities, full engineering design, and strategic partnerships for its first U.S. commercial facility.