The Department of War announced today a 15 December 2025 investment of $18.1 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to 5N Plus Inc. (5N+). This investment announcement was delayed due to the government shutdown. 5N+ will use this investment to greatly expand refining capacity for germanium metal at their St. George, Utah, facility to feed optics and solar germanium crystal supply chains. This investment uses funds from the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. It also supports the Administration's goal to increase the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products as articulated in the March 20, 2025, Executive Order 14241 - Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.
"Our warfighters depend on next generation optics for surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting, and germanium is a key element in their manufacture," said Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Mike Cadenazzi. "Increasing domestic germanium production is one of the highest industrial base priorities for the DoW."
Makers of defense applications use germanium in infrared optics, night vision systems, surveillance windows, individual thermal weapon sights, and other electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) equipment. Germanium is also essential for solar cells that power military and civilian satellites.
5N+ is a leading global producer of specialty semiconductors and performance materials. Using these funds, 5N+ will expand its zone refining capacity for germanium metal sevenfold to more than 20 metric tons annually. This metal production will directly feed the large and small diameter germanium crystal growth needed for optical and solar defense applications. This investment also supports the company's plans to source germanium from underutilized and previously untapped domestic sources, thereby advancing U.S. independence for germanium supply.
"By expanding capacity for refining germanium metal, this investment addresses a capability bottleneck that affects some of our most critical weapons platforms across all the military Services," added Mr. Jeffrey Frankston, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience. "This investment is a key component in expanding domestic capacity for critical minerals and will support the Secretary of War's priority to Rebuild the Military by revitalizing the defense industrial base."
This is the first investment made by the DPA Purchases Office since the beginning of FY 2026. For FY 2025, recipient cost shares totaled $88 million. The Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate oversees the DPA Purchases Office.
