Metallium Ltd., announced that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Flash Metals USA Inc., has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) through the Defense Logistics Agency. The award, valued at $100,000, will apply Metallium’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating process to recover gallium from waste streams, including LED scrap and gallium-rich waste streams. These feedstocks also contain Germanium and other valuable metals, broadening the project’s strategic impact. The work is expected to be completed within six months.
“This award, although small in terms of dollar value, is significant as it represents our first funding from the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Michael Walshe, managing director and chief executive officer of Metallium. He added, “By demonstrating our technology for gallium recovery, we continue to build U.S.-based solutions that can reduce reliance on foreign supply chains and directly support national security priorities.”
The program will be executed by Flash Metals Texas as prime contractor, with Rice University’s Tour Group engaged under a resource and cost-sharing arrangement. Upon successful completion of this Phase I effort, Metallium and Flash Metals plan to apply immediately for Phase II funding of up to $1 million to advance pilot-scale deployment at Metallium’s existing Chambers County site in Texas, with a goal of commencing a Phase III commercial implementation to reinforce U.S. supply chain resilience for gallium and other critical metals.
Walshe explained that gallium is a U.S.-designated critical material essential for defense, semiconductors and communications. “Current supply is dominated by non-allied nations, creating national security risks. Our project provides a domestic pathway for gallium recovery while also building infrastructure to recover additional high-value metals such as germanium.”
Published September 2025
