Nathan Trotter to open first-of-its-kind tin recycling plant, boosting domestic critical mineral capacity

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Nathan Trotter, a leading North American supplier and recycler of tin and tin alloy products, will invest approximately $65 million to build Tin Ridge, a first-of-its-kind metal production and processing facility in Henry County, Virginia. The company has selected a 44-acre site north of Martinsville for the 115,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to expand domestic tin supply and recycling capabilities. Once fully operational, Tin Ridge is projected to create around 118 new jobs in the Commonwealth.

The United States government has declared tin a critical mineral due to its role in solder used in circuit boards and electronics components for commercial and government applications, including defence systems, smartphones, flat-panel displays, electric vehicles, batteries, advanced robotics, and aerospace technologies. 

To address the nation's dependence on tin imports, Nathan Trotter, family-owned and operated since 1789, will develop and operate the nation's first plant capable of refining noteworthy volumes of both tin concentrate and scrap tin in support of the U.S. economy and defense industrial base. The cutting-edge facility has also been designed to utilize the most advanced and environmentally friendly technology, enabling successful operations into the future. Nathan Trotter is based in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, with four tin refining and finishing plants across the state. 

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) partnered with Henry County and the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $1,500,000 grant from the Commonwealth's Opportunity Fund to assist with the project.

VEDP will assist Nathan Trotter in creating new jobs through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), a state-funded program offering consulting services and financial support to help companies recruit and train employees. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. 

"Nathan Trotter's historic investment in Henry County only strengthens our national defence supply chain while also creating new, high-quality jobs and career opportunities in advanced manufacturing for the people of Southern Virginia," says Governor Glenn Youngkin. "This project underscores our commitment to securing critical industries, powering our national defence, growing jobs, and building a stronger, more resilient future for the Commonwealth and for America." 

"Our new state-of-the-art tin processing facility will play an important and historic role in strengthening our nation's fragile tin supply chain, as global competition and demand for critical minerals [reach] extraordinary levels," said Tyler Morris, VP and partner at Nathan Trotter. "We selected Henry County and the state of Virginia for the talented workforce and proximity to key ports, customers, suppliers, and our network of tin production facilities throughout the region."