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WEIRTON — A $50 million federal grant is aimed at assisting a metal producing company construct a facility in Weirton.
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, who serves as chair of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced the funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants Program Monday afternoon, saying the money would help Boston Metal locate an operation in Weirton to be used in the production of ultrapure chromium metal and high temperature alloys.
The grant was made possible as a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, according to Manchin.
“Today’s announcement is further recognition of West Virginia’s legacy as America’s Energy Powerhouse, and I could not be prouder to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to help bring new opportunity and investment to our state. Weirton and the surrounding communities will yet again be on the cutting edge of developing new energy technologies that will help strengthen our energy and national security. When it comes to energy, there truly is no better place to do business than the Mountain State,” said Manchin.
According to information provided by the Energy Committee, the production facility is projected to create approximately 200 jobs, with a focus on local hiring and providing training programs for the workforce.
The company’s products will be used in a variety of energy-related areas, including nuclear, wind, hydro, concentrating solar power, geothermal, fuel cells, and green steel, as well as other industries.
“We are delighted to be going to West Virginia. Thanks to funding from the Department of Energy and the visionary support of Senator Manchin, we are able to begin building our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will bring production of a critical material to the United States. This facility will manufacture chrome metal which is essential for defense, aerospace applications and the renewable energy industry,” said Tadeu Carneiro, chairman and CEO of Boston Metal.
Boston Metal was founded in 2013 as Boston Electrometallurgical Corp., according to its website, eventually constructing a 25,000-square-foot development facility in Woburn, Mass., in 2019. Its first commercial agreement was signed in 2020 for a ferroalloy production.
The company opened a subsidiary in Brazil in 2022.
Using an electro-chemical process known as electrolysis, the company says it is able to produce steel without a need for coal.
“On behalf of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, I wish to extend my congratulations to Tadeu and the entire team at Boston Metal on this important federal grant award. We look forward to the prospect of adding even more new and exciting advanced manufacturing jobs to Weirton. West Virginia continues to add to its manufacturing and metals production portfolio. This announcement opens yet another opportunity for our citizens to live, work, and raise their families in the beauty of West Virginia,” said Mitch Carmichael, secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.
Boston Metal’s website indicates it is working toward commercialization of its products by 2026.
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