(March 15): The US Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) advanced plans for up to US$4.2 billion in financing to support Japanese and South Korean nuclear operators’ purchase of enriched fuel from California-based General Matter. The Ex-Im Bank issued letters of interest supporting the financing — with up to US$2.4 billion for Japanese nuclear operators and as much as US$1.8 billion for those in Korea — during the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum in Tokyo. John Jovanovic, chairman of the Ex-Im Bank, said the transactions will help support industries “that are central to America’s long-term economic and strategic strength,” while supporting the development of secure, reliable supply chains across the Indo-Pacific region. Ex-Im Bank support is also underpinning a binding 10-year offtake agreement by Trafigura for mixed hydroxide precipitate and lithium carbonate that will be produced by Nth Cycle from a facility in South Carolina. According to the Ex-Im Bank, it’s the largest multi-metal commercial agreement reached between a recycled feedstock supplier and a critical mineral refiner.

Source: The Edge Markets March 15, 2026 08:19 UTC