5N Plus receives $18.1M (U.S.) grant from U.S. gov't

Executive Summary

• 5N Plus Inc. has been awarded an $18.1 million U.S. government grant to expand its germanium recycling and refining capabilities at its St. George, Utah facility.
• The funding supports the U.S. government's executive order to increase domestic mineral production, enabling the company to recover germanium from industrial residues and mining byproducts.
• The project is scheduled to unfold over 48 months, with the goal of increasing annual high-purity germanium production capacity to up to 20 metric tonnes.

Key Details

• Grant Amount: $18.1 million (U.S.).
• Purpose: To expand capabilities and increase capacity to recycle and refine germanium to feed optics and solar germanium crystal supply chains.
• Timeline: The expansion of capabilities to recover germanium will occur gradually over the course of the next 48 months.
• Production Capacity: The project aims to enable the valorization of up to 20 metric tonnes of high-purity germanium per year.
• Strategic Context: The award supports immediate U.S. government measures to increase American mineral production.
• Product Applications: The company manufactures high-purity, dislocation-free, electrically uniform, and space-qualified germanium wafers used in infrared optics, night vision systems, surveillance windows, electro-optical/infrared applications, and solar cells for commercial and national security satellites.

Notable Quotes

• "This award reinforces our unique leadership position as a trusted partner with the sourcing, refining and manufacturing expertise to supply high-purity specialty semiconductors to key customers for mission-critical applications," said Gervais Jacques, president and chief executive officer of 5N Plus. "We are proud that our St. George, Utah, facility has once again been recognized as a key partner to the U.S. government."