Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Act

This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Critical Materials Processing Technology Testbed Capability through a competitive, merit-reviewed process. This Testbed will facilitate the research, development, and demonstration of novel critical materials processing technologies, alongside scalable performance testing on feedstock materials. Applications for establishing the Testbed will be considered from National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, private companies, and multi-institutional collaborations, with the flexibility for it to operate as a single or multiple sites. The Testbed's focus areas include achieving substantive improvements such as reduced energy intensity , lower environmental and societal impacts, improved recovery efficiencies, and enhanced worker safety. It also emphasizes processing techniques that move beyond traditional methods and are applicable to a wide range of material sources. The bill mandates the secure transfer of research results to industry and ensures that all intellectual property generated is retained within the United States, with interagency engagement to align goals and avoid duplication. Initial funding is authorized at $150 million for fiscal year 2027 to establish the Testbed, followed by $25 million annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2031 to support its activities, with potential cost-sharing requirements for non-National Laboratory entities.