Momentum Technologies tells House modular MSX plants can speed U.S. processing; seeks federal de‑risking

Momentum Technologies told a House Natural Resources Subcommittee that its membrane solvent‑extraction (MSX) system, developed with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and DOE support, can accelerate domestic processing of battery and magnet feedstocks and reduce reliance on overseas processors.

Chief Executive Officer Mahesh Kunduru said the company validated its technology with support from the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Energy’s Critical Minerals Innovation Hub. ‘‘The technology was also validated with support from the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of Energy’s Critical Minerals Innovation Hub,’’ Kunduru said, adding that Momentum has commercialized battery materials at scale and expanded into rare‑earth recovery.

Kunduru described MSX as a closed‑loop, low‑footprint system that replaces conventional large mixer‑settler tanks with a compact, energy‑efficient process. He said modular skidded plants can be co‑located with feedstock — including tailings, mine waste or local recycling streams — which reduces transport and simplifies permitting. ‘‘We can deploy these at small scale in Arizona and other states to immediately seek a return on investment,’’ Kunduru said.

At the hearing, members probed permitting pathways and whether regulators could approve incremental capacity expansions rather than waiting for full buildouts. Momentum suggested regulators consider ‘‘incremental permitting’’ for initial small modules so plants can operate while capacity is increased. The company said it has operated demonstration plants and is ready to scale but urged federal pilot funding to de‑risk first modules and catalyze private investment.

Momentum’s written and oral testimony cited partnerships with Oak Ridge and DOE programs; members asked for follow‑up documentation and state‑level permitting experiences to verify timelines and environmental performance. The hearing record includes a request that members submit additional evidence for the record.

The committee did not vote on funding or authorizing language at the hearing. Momentum’s claims about build time and environmental performance were presented as company statements and were not independently validated during the session.