AMG opens $15 million chrome metal facility in Pennsylvania
AMG Critical Materials N.V. inaugurated a $15 million chrome metal facility in New Castle, Pennsylvania, with a capacity of 6,500 tons per year, making it the only US producer. The plant addresses national security concerns by ending 100% import reliance for the material, which is vital for aerospace and clean energy sectors. AMG has invested over $400 million in its US operations to bolster domestic supply chains for critical materials.

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AMG Critical Materials N.V. has opened a chrome metal production facility in New Castle, Pennsylvania, investing $15 million to establish a planned annual capacity of 6,500 tons. This strategic move positions AMG Chrome as the sole producer of chrome metal in the United States, addressing a long-standing deficit in the domestic supply chain for critical materials. The facility aims to secure a domestic source for chrome metal, which is essential for advanced alloys used in jet engines, space-launch vehicles, and clean-energy systems.
Strategic Importance and Production Capacity
The new plant is critical for US national security, as the country previously imported 100% of its chrome metal, a dependency identified as a significant supply-chain risk. Chrome metal is a key ingredient in nickel-chromium superalloys for jet engines like the LEAP engine, space-launch vehicles such as SpaceX's Starship, and solid oxide fuel cells. By establishing production in the US, AMG mitigates reliance on foreign sources, primarily China and Russia.
AMG is already an established producer through its AMG Chrome division, which has manufactured chrome metal in Rotherham, United Kingdom, since 1938. The UK facility currently has a total capacity of 15,000 tons, supplying customers worldwide. The New Castle facility extends this capability to the US, marking the return of domestic production after the last US plant closed in 2006.
Investment and Operational Footprint
Over the past several years, AMG Critical Materials has invested more than $400 million into its US operations. These investments encompass facilities producing chrome, vanadium, and titanium, reflecting the company's commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing and supporting critical material supply chains.
| Facility Location | Material | Annual Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| New Castle, United States | Chrome Metal | 6,500 tons |
| Rotherham, United Kingdom | Chrome Metal | 15,000 tons |
Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, emphasized the strategic value of the new facility. "Chrome is now being recognized at a level commensurate with its strategic importance to modern manufacturing," he stated. "With our new high-purity chrome metal facility, AMG is onshoring the production of a material deemed critical for US national security."
How will the reintroduction of domestic chrome metal production impact US government policy regarding critical minerals and national security?
What are the potential effects on global chrome metal pricing given the shift away from reliance on Chinese and Russian supply?
Could this facility's capacity of 6,500 tons meet current US demand, or are expansion plans already being considered?






















