Metallium Gallium Recovery Project Advances US Critical Minerals Recycling

Australian Metallium

Metallium gallium recovery project plans have moved forward after the Australian recycling firm completed the first phase of a US Department of Defense contract ahead of schedule. The company is developing a process to recover gallium from complex waste streams, including semiconductor scrap and electronic waste.

The project is strategically important because gallium is essential for semiconductors, military systems, optics and advanced electronics. Global supply remains highly concentrated, with China accounting for nearly all primary gallium production.

Metallium gallium recovery project development comes as China’s export controls have intensified competition for non-China supply. Higher prices and stronger defense-related demand are making recovery technologies more commercially relevant.

Flash Joule Heating Targets Low-Concentration Gallium Streams

Metallium is using its proprietary Flash Joule Heating process to recover trace gallium from steel, alloy scrap, semiconductor scrap and electronic waste. The company also aims to recover germanium and other critical minerals in later phases.

End-of-life gallium recycling remains difficult because the metal is present in very small quantities once used in finished products. This makes recovery technically challenging and usually uneconomic unless prices, feedstock access and process efficiency improve together.

Metallium can now apply for Phase II funding of up to $1mn to advance pilot-scale operations. The company expects to start full commercial operations at its Texas facility this year.

Feedstock Deals Strengthen US Recycling Scale-Up

Metallium gallium recovery project scaling is supported by both government funding and private capital. The company raised $55mn from investors in June to accelerate commercial development.

Glencore will supply 2,400 t/yr of electronic waste, becoming Metallium’s major feedstock supplier and offtake partner. This agreement gives the Texas facility a clearer route to steady input material, which is critical for recycling economics.

Metallium also signed a deal last week to supply US-based metals refiner and manufacturer Indium with several recovered metals from its US recycling operations. Together, these agreements help connect scrap collection, recovery technology and downstream advanced materials demand.

Gallium prices have risen by 175% year on year and remain supported by firm demand and limited ex-China availability. That price environment improves the case for niche recycling projects, especially where defense and semiconductor supply security are involved.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Metallium’s project shows that critical mineral security will increasingly depend on recovering trace metals from complex waste streams. Gallium recycling will not replace primary supply quickly, but it can become a strategic buffer for defense, semiconductor and optics supply chains.