#United States #Houston #Metallium #Flash Joule #Gallium Recovery

Metallium's Groundbreaking SBIR Contract from the Department of Defense

On September 2, 2025, Metallium Ltd. (ASX: MTM; OTCQX: MTMCF) proudly announced its first significant achievement in innovation: being awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the U.S. Department of Defense. This contract marks an important milestone for Metallium as it transitions towards practical applications of its advanced Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology.

The Contract and Its Implications

The awarded contract, worth A$100,000, focuses on the recovery of gallium from various waste materials, particularly in LED scrap and gallium-rich disposal streams. This approach not only addresses the ecological problems associated with waste disposal but also opens avenues for recycling precious and critical materials. Alongside gallium, the waste streams are estimated to contain other precious metals like Germanium, further amplifying the project's relevance and potential economic impact.

Michael Walshe, CEO of Metallium, emphasized the significance of the award, stating, “This funding, although minor in budget size, bears immense value as it reflects our first financial partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense.” This partnership embodies a shift towards innovating domestic solutions that reduce dependency on foreign supply chains, thus enhancing the nation’s security priorities.

Project Execution and Future Plans

The execution of this project will be spearheaded by Flash Metals Texas, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metallium, with contributions from Rice University’s Tour Group under a strategic resource-sharing arrangement. Over the next six months, the team will develop methodologies for extracting gallium efficiently from specified waste sources.

Upon successfully demonstrating the technology in Phase I, Metallium has plans ready for the next step—applying for Phase II funding worth up to US$1 million. This funding will be pivotal for scaling their operations, enabling pilot testing at their existing site in Chambers County, Texas, with ambitions to transition into Phase III for commercial implementation—ultimately strengthening U.S. supply chains for gallium and other essential metals.

The Importance of Gallium

Gallium plays a crucial role in various high-tech applications, including semiconductors and defense systems. The United States has marked gallium as a critical material, emphasizing the necessity for local sourcing rather than relying predominantly on non-allied nations which pose national security risks. Walshe remarked, “Our initiative not only promotes the recovery of gallium but simultaneously cultivates infrastructure for reclaiming other high-value elements like Germanium.”

Environmental and Market Impact

This innovative project aligns with global trends towards low-carbon and efficient recovery methods for critical and precious metals. Metallium's groundbreaking Flash Joule Heating technology is designed to maximize yields while maintaining environmental integrity, transforming industrial waste—like refinery scrap and electronic waste—into valuable resources.

Currently, Metallium has secured its first commercial site in Texas and is in the process of leasing two additional sites located in Massachusetts and Virginia, marking a robust expansion phase.

Overall, Metallium's strategic partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense heralds a promising evolution in domestic resource recovery, signaling a shift towards sustainable practices that prioritize national interests and environmental welfare. As Metallium leads this charge, it sets a precedent for innovative solutions in the realm of critical metals recovery, shaping a more resilient future for industry and securing valuable resources for generations to come.