Mint Innovation secures site for first US e-waste biotechnology facility

The company’s Texas facility is the first of many in the US, accelerating the country’s critical mineral strategy and a more sustainable circular economy

Mint Innovation, a clean technology company that’s developed a low carbon biotechnology to sustainably recover green metals from e-waste, today announced its expansion into the United States with the first site in Longview, Texas. Founded in New Zealand in 2016, Mint Innovation developed a world-first low-carbon solution to extract critical and valuable metals, such as gold and copper, from electronic waste in a form ready to be returned immediately to onshore supply chains.

As demand for critical metals, such as copper, are expected to exceed natural supply as early as 2025, with a 6 million tonne deficit by 2030, Mint Innovation’s clean biotechnology provides a new environmentally safe avenue to secure closed loop national reserves of in-demand metals.  

Texas state is home to some of the largest electronics manufacturing companies, however only approx. 6.5% of e-scrap generated is recycled through proper channels. With E-waste being the world's fastest growing waste stream, most of this waste eventually ending up in landfill or shipped offshore. There is also growing concern about data security risks often associated with the export of e-waste and Mint’s sustainable process also presents a safer option that guarantees the destruction of technology exceeding NSA standards, while supporting domestic critical metal security.

The Longview site – selected based on its proximity to technology and manufacturing supply chains – will be a significant investment into the local community, with construction set to begin imminently and completion anticipated end of 2025. This significant financial commitment highlights the importance of Mint Innovation's role in enhancing the local economy and the broader national mineral supply chain. By focusing on domestic recovery, Mint aims to accelerate the nations capability to produce US made green metals - establishing a truly closed-loop supply of critical metals to reduce reliance on foreign supplies.

“As the United States looks to strengthen its industrial strategy and as global environmental challenges continue to unfold, we’re excited to bring our e-waste biotechnology into the US to address demand for metals like copper that are crucial to continued economic growth.” said Will Barker, CEO of Mint Innovation. “This a significant milestone in Mint Innovation’s journey towards achieving our purpose of empowering countries and companies to embrace a sustainable future through clean technology and truly circular green metals.”

In addition to its environmental benefits, the facility is set to create several dozen high-quality, family sustaining jobs in the Longview area, contributing to the local economy. Mint Innovation is committed to engaging with the community and has received the support of LEDCO, to establish its facility.  

For media enquiries, please contact Renee Jameson, renee@mint.bio

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