Texas Congressional Leaders Back Domestic Critical Minerals: Gladieux Metals Recycling Strengthens U.S. Defense with Recycled Vanadium

Business Wire

19-05-2025

FREEPORT, Texas.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gladieux Metals Recycling (GMR), the nation's leading recycler of spent petroleum catalysts and producer of high-purity vanadium compounds, today issued a public statement of gratitude to members of the U.S. Congress and Senate—especially Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Randy Weber —for their strong, bipartisan support of America's domestic vanadium industry and GMR's mission to strengthen the critical minerals supply chain.
In recent letters to Secretary Hegseth, key congressional leaders including Senator Cruz and Congressman Weber urged the Department of Defense to immediately begin to stockpile at least one year of military and essential civilian uses of both ferrovanadium and aerospace grade vanadium pentoxide in the National Defense Stockpile. The letters cited vanadium's classification as a critical mineral by the U.S. Geological Survey and emphasized its indispensable role in jet engines, armor steel, aerospace-grade titanium, night vision systems, and ballistic missiles.
'We are honored by this congressional support—most notably from Senator Cruz and Congressman Weber—which reinforces the urgency of securing access to vanadium, a resource vital to our national defense and industrial stability,' said Tarun Bhatt, CEO of Gladieux Metals Recycling. 'Federal recognition of our fragile supply chains and the role of domestic producers like GMR is a critical step forward.'
A Critical Solution for a Critical Mineral
Today, global vanadium supply is highly concentrated, with China and Russia accounting for nearly 70% of total production. This level of control poses a serious vulnerability for the United States, which remains heavily dependent on imports to meet its industrial and strategic needs. In 2024 alone, U.S. demand for vanadium reached 14,000 metric tons, yet domestic production met less than 30% of that demand—producing only 3,800 metric tons. This supply gap stresses the urgent need for reliable, homegrown sources of critical materials.
With over 50 years of experience in servicing the oil refining industry, Gladieux Metals Recycling (GMR) has established itself as a critical player in the recovery and production of high-purity vanadium and molybdenum oxides. These materials are essential to a wide range of industries, including defense, steel manufacturing, advanced batteries, and chemical processing. By reclaiming valuable metals from spent petroleum catalysts through its proprietary hydrometallurgical processes, GMR provides a sustainable, domestic alternative to foreign-sourced critical minerals.
'Our patented processes not only recover vanadium and molybdenum from spent catalysts, but also prevent the export of critical minerals,' said Bhatt. 'We are proud to provide an environmentally responsible, circular solution that supports both sustainability and national security.'
Advanced Quality and Proven Impact
GMR operates a state-of-the-art on-site laboratory to ensure catalyst compatibility and verify that its products meet the highest metallurgical and chemical standards. These high-purity oxides are reintegrated into the U.S. supply chain, serving major steel manufacturers, battery producers, and catalyst developers.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Aleon Metals, GMR is strategically positioned to help reduce U.S. dependence on unstable foreign sources and support the nation's growing industrial and defense needs.
'We look forward to continued collaboration with government leaders and federal agencies to expand domestic capacity and secure the future of critical mineral production in the U.S.,' said Gerardo Valdes, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Contracts.
About Gladieux Metals Recycling
Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Freeport, Texas, Gladieux Metals Recycling (GMR) is the nation's leading recycler of vanadium- and molybdenum-rich spent petroleum catalysts. Leveraging its patented hydrometallurgical processes, GMR offers a sustainable, domestic solution for critical mineral recovery and is a top U.S. producer of high-purity oxides.