SharpPulse Corp is developing patented, electric-energy methods to recycle critical minerals and rare earth elements without carbon emissions or pollution. Founded by scientists and business executives focused on climate change, the company describes its approach as “Recycling 2.0” for advanced materials, addressing the energy use and toxic pollutants associated with conventional recycling.
REEgenREEgen uses genetically optimized bacteria to recover rare earth elements from ores and industrial waste, including materials that would otherwise be discarded. The Ithaca startup’s low-temperature, low-pressure bioleaching process produces biodegradable acids instead of relying on harsh chemicals or high heat, positioning it around cleaner, more circular critical-mineral production.ITHACA, NY
Galvanix IncGalvanix Inc. is developing a domestic, sustainable process for reducing rare-earth metals used in permanent magnets for technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. Co-founded by Alan Long and Professor Rohan Akolkar, the company focuses on replacing the polluting, China-dominated production route with an emissions-free, more energy-efficient alternative. Its work has received Phase I support from both the NSF SBIR program and the Department of Energy’s E-SCRAP initiative.CLEVELAND, OH
Smart Tire RecyclingFounded in 2014 by Mendel Bassman, Pittsburgh-based Smart Tire Recycling develops a patented, zero-emissions process that turns scrap tires into carbon black and oil using supercritical-pressure water technology. The company brings together tire-industry, chemical-engineering, and process-development specialists to address the waste and material-supply challenges tied to discarded tires.PITTSBURGH, PA
Metasorbex™ CorporationMetasorbex Corporation develops programmable sorbent materials and catalysts that capture industrial carbon dioxide, convert it into useful products, and separate rare earth elements from difficult secondary resources. Founded on a 2020 insight that scalable climate and materials solutions would come from controlling molecular interactions, the company applies one materials platform to both carbon utilization and modular rare-earth recovery. Founder and CEO Edward Chan brings experience commercializing advanced materials at Fortune 500 companies and startups.LOVELAND, OH