America’s about to make a big bet on critical minerals and rare earths. In case you missed it, the DOE just reorganized and announced a major initiative around the refining of this critical element in our energy and defense future. Why? Because the energy and defense sectors are dangerously dependent on China’s refining power; but, what if we could change that without opening a single new mine?

We recently covered a company that’s rethinking rare earth and critical mineral supply chains from the ground up. Mark LaVerghetta, VP at ReElement Technologies, explained that their secret weapon is a closed-loop chromatography-based refining system that can extract and purify vital materials from recycled batteries, magnets, and even coal waste, all on U.S. soil.

Mark shares how the leadership team pivoted from distressed coal assets to inventing a modular, small-footprint solution that could rewrite the rules of critical mineral processing and eliminate America’s reliance on toxic, capital-intensive Chinese methods and imports. It can also liberate us from the supply constraints imposed by the ever-growing trade war between the two countries for materials that are critical path to our clean energy future.

Expect to learn:

🔹 How chromatography replaces hundreds of toxic chemical stages in rare earths refining

🔹 What rare minerals are hidden in EV batteries, coal waste, and wind turbines

🔹 Why ReElement's tech is scalable in the nation’s abandoned strip malls, not megafactories

🔹 How they’re restoring U.S. supply chain independence through innovation

This is more than a conversation about minerals. It’s about resilience, security, and a cleaner future built right here at home.

Check out OpenSolar OS 3.0 at: https://suncast.media/opensolar

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.suncast.media/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 875 other founder stories and startup advice at www.suncast.media.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

Folge 368: Wer hat auf Shirin Davids Büro geschossen & Malwannes Streusel-Effekt ft. Lisa Ludwig

Lästerschwestern

Trymacs vs. Rewi & Julia Beautx Konflikt

The AI-powered Podcast Player