Critical Mineral
Iron
Abundant strength for both chemistry and structure.
Iron is central to LFP cathodes and also underpins much of the structural steel used in battery factories, racks, and enclosures.
Role in the battery value chain
- Key metal in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes for EVs and grid storage.
- Used in steels and alloys that form the frames, racks, and protective structures of battery systems.
- Supports robust, cost-effective designs that can be deployed at massive scale.
From ore to battery-grade material
Iron ores are mined and processed into concentrates, then reduced in blast furnaces or direct-reduction plants to produce iron and steels. For LFP cathodes, iron is converted into high-purity iron salts or oxides that meet strict impurity controls before being reacted with lithium and phosphorus.
National security & resilience
Iron is abundant, but the know-how to transform it into high-performing cathode precursors and structural steels for mission-critical applications must be cultivated at home.
Environmental & community considerations
Decarbonizing iron and steel production with cleaner fuels, hydrogen-based direct reduction, and electrification is a major lever for reducing the footprint of battery supply chains.
The American Battery connects iron to the full lithium-ion value chain—from mining and refining through active materials, cells, packs, and recycling—so that policymakers, partners, and citizens can see how this element supports American energy security.