Sortera Secures $45 Million to Accelerate U.S. Aluminum Upcycling, Adds New Tennessee Facility

Sortera Technologies is moving into its next phase of national expansion after securing $45 million in fresh funding, according to information released by the company and reported by multiple industry sources. The Indiana-based metals upcycler said the capital—led by accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates and VXI Capital, with participation from Yamaha Motor Ventures, Overlay Capital, and additional equipment financing from Trinity Capital—will support construction of a new processing facility in Lebanon, Tennessee. According to the company’s disclosures, demand for high-quality recycled aluminum continues to climb, prompting Sortera to replicate its Markle, Indiana flagship facility in a second strategic U.S. location.

It is reported that the new Tennessee plant will expand Sortera’s annual output to roughly 240 million pounds and bring production much closer to automotive and manufacturing customers pursuing low-carbon supply chains. Sortera noted that its proprietary platform—combining artificial intelligence, multi-sensor sorting systems, and in-house blending software—can transform mixed aluminum scrap into alloy-specific products such as 380, 356, 319, and several wrought grades. The company reports that this approach reduces energy needs by about 95% compared with producing primary aluminum and prevents vast quantities of scrap from being exported overseas.

“The performance of our Markle facility and the enthusiastic response from our customers have made it clear: the domestic market is hungry for sustainable, high-quality recycled aluminum,” said Michael Siemer, CEO of Sortera Technologies, adding that establishing a presence in Tennessee will position the company “closer to many of our key customers.”

Industry observers note that the U.S. recycled-aluminum market is entering a period of rapid maturation as domestic manufacturers seek stable, low-carbon inputs. Analysts say factors such as supply-chain security, new circular-economy policies, and corporate decarbonization commitments are pushing the sector toward high-purity secondary metals. According to sector experts, solutions like Sortera’s alloy-specific upcycling could help reduce dependence on imported primary aluminum while strengthening the country’s manufacturing base.

Sortera expects the Tennessee facility to become operational by the summer of 2026, and further details are expected to be announced as development progresses. According to company statements, the expansion reflects growing national demand for circular-economy infrastructure and next-generation metal-sorting technologies.

Source: Sortera Technologies

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Sortera’s expansion underscores rising U.S. demand for low-carbon, domestically sourced recycled aluminum.