Sortera Scales Solution to the Mixed Aluminum Problem with $45 Million in Funding and New Tennessee Facility

Sortera, the market-leading aluminum sorting company with an upcycling platform powered by artificial intelligence, data analytics, and advanced sensors, led by Michael Siemer, Curt Sacks, Benjamin Pope, Dr. Nalin Kumar, and others, announced the close of $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 supports Sortera’s next stage of growth as a major domestic supplier of upcycled metals. Alongside the investment, Sortera is planning a second advanced processing facility in Lebanon, Tennessee, an expansion driven by strong demand and the success of its flagship operation in Markle, Indiana, bringing its recycling capabilities closer to a growing customer base.

Sortera Technologies uses AI and advanced sensors to turn mixed aluminum scrap into precise, high-quality alloys that replace imported primary aluminum. Demand has surged since the company began operations at its 200,000 sq. ft. Markle facility in Q1 2023.

Sortera now produces end-of-life recycled aluminum across key alloys, including 380, 356, 319, and multiple wrought grades, engineered to match common casting and rolling specifications. The Markle facility proves the ability to transform mixed scrap into high-value material for automotive, construction, and aerospace applications.

“The performance of the Markle facility and strong customer demand confirm the need for high-quality recycled aluminum,” said Michael Siemer, CEO of Sortera Technologies. “This momentum drove the investment and our expansion into Tennessee, boosting capacity and placing operations closer to key automotive customers.”

Sortera’s proprietary technology enables precise, AI-driven sorting and blending of aluminum scrap into customer-specific alloys. Its advanced sensors, in-house software, and deep materials data unlock high-quality upcycled products, diverting billions of pounds of scrap from overseas markets. The process cuts energy use by about 95% compared to primary aluminum production, significantly lowering customers’ CO₂ footprints and supporting circular manufacturing goals.

The Tennessee facility will expand Sortera’s capacity to ~240M pounds annually, delivering high-quality recycled aluminum locally, strengthening the domestic circular economy, and reducing costs, emissions, and supply-chain reliance for manufacturers.