Sortera raises $45 million to bolster aluminium recycling

The USA based AI powered aluminum recycling company Sortera Technologies, based in , has raised $45 million in funding led by accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates and VXI Capital, with participation from Yamaha Motor Ventures and Overlay Capital; with an additional equipment funding from Trinity Capital.

This funding fuels next phase of growth of Sortera as a major domestic supplier of metals upcycled from waste. In addition to the funding, Sortera is announcing plans for its second state-of-the-art processing facility in Lebanon, Tennessee. This expansion—driven by overwhelming demand and success at the flagship Markle, Indiana facility—will bring its innovative recycling solutions closer to its growing customer base.

Sortera claims to bring new life to old metal. Since launching operations at its 200,000 sq. ft. Markle facility in Q1 2023, Sortera has experienced significant customer demand for its high-quality recycled aluminum alloys.

Sortera is now the only company producing end-of-life recycled aluminum products, including 380, 356, 319, and wrought (3105 and others). Each product is specifically designed to match the chemistry of common casting and rolling alloys. Sortera also produces low-silicon wrought packages and polished end-of-life aluminum die cast for direct use in 380 applications.

The Markle facility demonstrates Sortera’s technological success at transforming mixed alloy scrap—historically downgraded or shipped overseas—into high-value materials for critical applications in the automotive, construction, and aerospace industries.

Michael Siemer, CEO, Sortera Technologies, said, “The robust investor confidence that powered this funding, coupled with the proven customer demand that necessitates our expansion into Tennessee, is a direct result of this success. This expansion allows us to significantly increase our capacity and establish a presence closer to many of our key customers—particularly in the automotive sector—further streamlining supply chains and enhancing our service capabilities.”

The new Tennessee facility will help build a robust, domestic circular economy for critical metals. The strategic location in Tennessee will improve logistics and provide a more localized supply of high-quality recycled content to regional manufacturers, potentially increasing Sortera’s annual production capacity to ~240 million pounds. This will ultimately help manufacturers lower costs and pollution while strengthening the domestic supply chain.

Sortera expects that the new facility will be operational by the summer of 2026, and further details regarding the specifics will be communicated in the coming months.