Critical Minerals a Key Element of the “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order

by Ajay Kochhar
Li-Cycle President & CEO

As one of his first acts in office, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order on January 20, 2025. There have been many industry insiders weighing in on how this executive order can potentially reshape the market, but if you look past the headlines, the Executive Order includes a range of positive takeaways with respect to critical minerals – for which battery recycling or “urban mining” is an important domestic source of production. Here’s my take:

1. This is Good for the Recycling and Resource Recovery Industry

Through the “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order, President Trump aims to “establish the U.S.’ position as the leading producer and processor of non-fuel minerals.” The Administration believes this will “create jobs and prosperity at home, strengthen supply chains for the United States and its allies, and reduce the global influence of malign and adversarial states.”

The U.S. needs power, and investing in domestic battery supply chains is essential to advancing America’s national security and energy independence goals. Critical minerals are central to creating a resilient energy economy in the U.S., and resource recovery and recycling companies will continue to play an important role in providing another domestic source of these materials.  

2. There is Government Support for Domestic Production of Critical Minerals – for which Recycling or “Urban Mining” can be an Important Source

There remains strong bi-partisan support for developing domestic manufacturing and critical mineral production. As the Executive Order notes: “The Secretary of Energy shall ensure that critical mineral projects, including the processing of critical minerals, receive consideration for Federal support, contingent on the availability of appropriated funds.”

Li-Cycle’s planned Rochester Hub project can play a key role in bolstering the U.S. domestic battery supply chain by producing critical battery materials, like lithium carbonate, which are sourced from batteries that power the lives of Americans today.

Through the Rochester Hub project, we intend to provide much needed post-processing recycling capacity, keeping these minerals in the U.S. and supporting America’s mission to lead the production and processing of non-fuel minerals. Li-Cycle looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Department of Energy on this project that aims to enable domestic critical material recovery and production through “urban mining”.

3. The Support for Critical Materials Can Position America as an Energy Leader

The need for critical minerals and building domestic production capabilities underscores the growing urgency to create a resilient energy economy for the U.S.

Critical minerals are essential to America’s national security and key to reducing the country’s reliance on foreign entities for its energy needs. As a resource recovery company with recycling operations and a key flagship project in the U.S., Li-Cycle’s business model supports American energy independence and is, we believe, a key enabler of the Administration’s goals.

Energy is an issue that impacts everyone, and Li-Cycle is proud to be part of the solution. Together with our government and industry partners, we will continue to help strengthen the domestic energy supply chain and support the U.S. in building a secure, energy independent future.