SiTration, a materials recovery company focused on the mining and metals industries, has announced the successful closing of an $11.8 million seed funding round. This investment, led by 2150 with participation from BHP Ventures, Extantia, Orion Industrial Ventures, Azolla Ventures, and the MIT-affiliated E14 Fund, will accelerate the deployment of the company’s innovative technology for critical metals recovery.
Back in April, we also reported about how one London-based AI-powered recycling startup raised £1.65M to enhance material sorting. It’s an interesting story too.
What problem is SiTration solving
SiTration was founded based on research conducted at MIT. The company aims to address the growing demand for critical materials needed for clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, and batteries. Their technology aims to lower the cost and environmental footprint of extracting and recycling these essential materials, contributing to a more circular economy.
“The need to strengthen the critical materials supply chain is significant,” said Dr. Brendan Smith, CEO and co-founder of SiTration. He emphasises the disconnect between the demand for clean energy technologies and the sourcing of the necessary materials. The startup’s technology proposes a solution that can create a more sustainable and cost-effective critical materials supply chain across various industries.
How is the company using chemical-free extraction and recycling method
SiTration’s technology leverages a patented porous silicon membrane for chemical-free and energy-efficient extraction and recycling of materials. This approach is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and localised pollution compared to traditional methods. The company’s work has attracted industry leaders, including a partnership with Rio Tinto to explore the potential of SiTration’s technology for recovering valuable materials from mining waste streams.
Professor Jeffrey Grossman, SiTration co-founder and MIT professor, highlights the key features of their membrane technology: durability, unmatched selectivity in extracting specific materials, and a streamlined, cost-effective manufacturing process for large-scale applications.
SiTration’s technology platform extends beyond clean energy materials to encompass metals refining and lithium-ion battery recycling, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability across diverse industries.
Jacob Bro, Partner at 2150, the lead investor in this funding round, acknowledges the crucial need for innovative solutions to address the global shortage of critical metals as we transition to clean energy sources. He expresses confidence in SiTration’s technology and team to achieve commercial success in both the mining and battery recycling sectors.
What we think about the startup
The $11.8 million seed funding positions the MIT spin-out startup to advance the development and deployment of their membrane technology for critical materials recovery. With a focus on reducing environmental impact and lowering costs, SiTration’s solution has the potential to play a significant role in supporting the clean energy transition and a more sustainable future.
