This Amended Determination addresses the small-scale research and development activities of a process to recycle critical minerals from e-waste, spent catalytic converters, and other waste sources by leveraging ChemFinity’s porous sorbent material technology.
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
June 8, 2026
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This Amended Determination follows the approval of additional funding, extended period of performance, and new project milestones to support the project team's small-scale research and development activities of a process to recycle critical minerals from e-waste, spent catalytic converters, and other waste sources by leveraging ChemFinity’s porous sorbent material technology. Specifically, the project team will (1) fabricate increased volume (kilogram [kg] scale) of porous polymer network (PPN) sorbents, test and validate materials to meet performance metrics; (2) test and validate kg-scale PPN sorbent materials using domestic industrial waste sources to meet predetermined performance metrics; and (3) conduct a techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment for next phase development. If successful, this project would result in PPN sorbent technology to support energy efficiency in critical mineral processing while creating new pathways to secure domestic critical mineral supplies, ultimately reducing dependence on foreign energy and mineral sources, thereby increasing U.S. energy security.