Minerals Processing Institute

Achieving Globally Competitive Processing of Critical Minerals in Louisiana

The Minerals Processing Institute (MPI) is a cornerstone of applied chemical engineering research at LSU. Our research spans high-impact areas of critical importance to Louisiana’s economy and the nation’s security. The MPI’s industry-driven focus on efficiency, environmental responsibility, and operational resilience positions LSU as a directly relevant academic partner to the national critical minerals challenge.

The U.S. Geological Survey has identified 60 minerals vital to U.S. economic and national security with vulnerable supply chains. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Energy lists 17 minerals and materials of critical importance to future energy technologies. The global outlook remains the same: In 2024, the U.S. imported 80% of the rare earth elements it used. China, meanwhile, accounts for roughly 70% of global rare earth mining and over 90% of refining capacity, meaning its leverage derives primarily from processing dominance rather than reserves alone—precisely the kind of bottleneck MPI researchers are working to break.

In August 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy announced nearly $1 billion in funding across four initiatives targeting domestic production, by-product recovery, and commercialization of late-stage critical mineral processing technologies. Louisiana is exceptionally well-placed to translate that federal momentum into industrial capacity. The state is home to more than 300 process manufacturing facilities, over 150 petrochemical plants, and 15 refineries, attracting global leaders such as Dow, ExxonMobil, Honeywell, BASF, and Methanex. Louisiana’s “chemical corridor” between Baton Rouge and New Orleans offers unparalleled industrial infrastructure and deep workforce expertise. With LSU and MPI driving process innovation and next-generation workforce development, Louisiana will lead in securing and onshoring the nation’s most critical supply chains.

The LSU Minerals Processing Institute was established in 1979 as one of only 31 state mineral institutes by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which protects and manages the nation’s natural resources.

MEET the DIRECTOR

We help industry overcome technical challenges at scale.

our focus areas

Battery materials We work on improving the capacity and lifetimes of lithium-ion batteries and new types of ammonium, sodium, and bromine-based electrodes.

Electronic materials We work on materials for semiconductor processing and packaging, including new extreme ultra-violet photoresists and methods to connect chips inside multi-chip packages.

Process chemicals We work on new catalysts to produce base and specialty chemicals, which are the invisible backbone of nearly every manufacturing sector, with more selectivity and greater efficiency.

Base metals We work on developing more efficient arc furnaces, more durable forms of steel pipelines for use with hydrogen, and new additive manufacturing methods that use aluminum.

Our Researchers Work to Safeguard U.S. Supply Chains

Let’s Collaborate

Interested in collaborating or learning more? We’d love to hear from you. Contact our Interim Director John Flake to explore ways we can work together.