The Department of Defense has awarded $12.7 million to IperionX Technology, LLC to increase titanium powder production in Halifax County.

IperionX will apply the $12.7 million in funding towards building a 125 metric tons per annum titanium production facility in Halifax County, Virginia, with first production expected in 2024. Once commissioned, IperionX intends to rapidly scale the capacity of this advanced titanium production facility in a modular development approach to 1,125 metric tons per annum on the same site in Virginia.

IperionX’s goal is to produce 10,000 MT of titanium metal powder per year within five years. The company produces titanium alloys from either titanium minerals or 100% recycled material.

Sen. Mark Warner issued a statement celebrating the announcement.

“I’m thrilled to see IperionX receive major federal funding to increase the production of titanium right here in Halifax County. Critical minerals like titanium are requisite components of modern and emerging technologies. The Chinese Communist Party knows this and it’s doing everything in its power to control the market as demand worldwide continues to grow. I was proud to support IperionX in its efforts to scale up production in Virginia, and I’ll keep working to ensure that we are not reliant on China for the materials that will dominate our future technologies.”