CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — In a significant boost for the domestic supply chain of critical minerals, Cyclic Materials, a leader in advanced metals recycling, has selected Chesterfield County for its first East Coast operation. The Canadian company announced today an investment of over $82 million to establish a new “Hub and Spoke” campus in McBee, S.C., a move expected to create 90 highly skilled jobs.
The new facility will be located in the Alligator Industrial Park and is slated to come online in 2028. It marks a major expansion for the Toronto-headquartered company, which specializes in recycling rare earth elements (REEs)—critical components used in the production of electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and advanced electronics.
Building a Circular Supply Chain
Rare earth elements are essential for modern technology but are notoriously difficult and environmentally taxing to mine. Cyclic Materials uses proprietary technology to source these elements from end-of-life products, such as discarded magnets and electric motors, rather than extracting them from the ground.
The new McBee campus will function as a co-located processing and manufacturing site. According to the company, the facility will produce copper, steel, aluminum, and mixed rare earth oxides, effectively returning these valuable materials to the manufacturing supply chain.
“Our decision to invest in South Carolina reflects a deliberate strategy to grow a strong, interconnected U.S. recycling network,” said Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO and Founder of Cyclic Materials.
Ghahreman noted that the Southeast location positions the company closer to key partners and the infrastructure needed to scale a “secure and circular” supply chain. “The investment strengthens our ability to support American manufacturing [and] build a more reliable and resilient domestic rare earths and critical metals ecosystem.”
A “Historic Milestone” for Rural S.C.
State and local officials hailed the announcement as a victory for rural economic development. The project was supported by the Coordinating Council for Economic Development, which approved job development credits and a $500,000 Set-Aside grant for building improvements.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster cited the investment as proof of the state’s growing reputation in advanced manufacturing. “Cyclic Materials’ new facility… reflects the confidence companies have in South Carolina’s workforce,” McMaster said.
For Chesterfield County, the impact is expected to be profound. Mary Anderson, Chairwoman of the Chesterfield County Council, described the project as “one of the largest manufacturing commitments in the county’s history.”
“Cyclic Materials’ decision to invest over $82 million… marks a historic milestone for Chesterfield County and for rural South Carolina,” Anderson said. “By betting big on communities like ours… its impact will extend far beyond McBee, driving job creation [and] attracting new investment.”
Looking Ahead
As the demand for electric vehicles and green energy technology grows, the domestic sourcing of rare earth materials has become a national priority. Cyclic Materials’ expansion into South Carolina places the state at the forefront of this emerging circular economy.
Operations at the McBee facility are expected to begin in 2028.
Get Involved
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Employment: Cyclic Materials is actively looking to build its team. Individuals interested in applying for the new positions in Chesterfield County should visit the Cyclic Materials Careers Page.
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Location: The facility will be located at the Alligator Industrial Park in McBee, S.C.
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