IperionX Limited, a U.S. critical minerals company, will establish a titanium demonstration facility in Halifax County, Virginia. The $82.1 million project is expected to create 108 jobs.

The company will initially occupy the 50,000-square-foot Halifax Shell Building in the Southern Virginia Technology Park and plans to expand the facility to 100,000-square-feet in the coming years. The facility, the first of its kind in the state, will be developed over two phases.

“We are delighted to have chosen South Boston and Halifax County as the site for our inaugural titanium demonstration facility, which is a critical step in advancing IperionX’s ambition to re-shore an all-American source of titanium metal,” said Anastasios Arima, Founder and CEO of IperionX. “We are highly appreciative of the support and welcome that we have received from our partners and stakeholders in Virginia and look forward to establishing IperionX as a leader in advanced manufacturing in our new home.”

The Governor’s office approved a $300,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Halifax County. In addition, the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved a grant for $573,000 from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund for the project. The company is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“IperionX selecting Virginia for this multi-phase investment beginning with its inaugural titanium demonstration facility is a huge win for the Commonwealth,” noted Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “We are proud to welcome this visionary and innovative company to Virginia’s corporate roster.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Halifax County, the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Virginia Department of Energy to secure the project.

“Dominion Energy welcomes IperionX to Virginia. We are excited for the opportunity to meet their energy needs, while also helping to support its sustainability goals,” added Felicia Howard, Vice President Economic Development Strategy, Dominion Energy.

IperionX intends to source 100% renewable energy to produce 100% recycled titanium to supply advanced industries including automotive, defense, aerospace, electric vehicles, and 3D printing. The company plans to develop the titanium demonstration facility as a showcase for the intersection of titanium powder production with additive manufacturing and other powder metallurgy applications.

“IperionX Limited provides innovative solutions to the critical materials supply chain of our nation, and we applaud their selection of Halifax County as the location to match their technology with the strong skill sets of the existing workforce,” said Linda Green, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. “Their work in diverse emerging industry sectors promises opportunity for Halifax workers for generations to come.”

IperionX was founded in 2020 with plans to be the leading developer of a low-carbon, sustainable, critical material supply chain. The company’s titanium technologies have demonstrated the potential to produce titanium products that are sustainable, 100% recyclable, and low-carbon and at product qualities that exceed current industry standards. IperionX can produce its titanium from recycled scrap, as well as mineral feedstock.