Metallium (ASX:MTM) achieved a milestone in national security and sustainable technology by completing Phase 1 of its small business innovation research contract with the US Department of War.
Executed through the Defence Logistics Agency, the programme focused on the domestic recovery of gallium—a critical mineral essential for high-performance radar, semiconductors, and satellite electronics—from semiconductor scrap and electronic waste.
The initiative, titled "Domestic Recovery of Gallium from Waste through Flash Electrothermal Chlorination", utilised Metallium’s proprietary flash joule heating technology.
By recovering gallium and other strategic metals like germanium from waste streams, the company has demonstrated a viable pathway to reduce US reliance on foreign imports.
The United States is 100% dependent on gallium imports, with China controlling nearly the entire global primary production.
Metallium delivered the programme in just six months, effectively halving the standard twelve-month SBIR Phase 1 timeline.
The rapid execution underscores the maturity of the FJH platform and positions the company for potential Phase II funding of up to US$1 million.
Steve Ragiel, president of US operations, noted that the achievement validates the technology’s ability to address key national security challenges while building resilient supply chains.
At the time of reporting, Metallium’s share price was $0.60.