Kunin
Vertically integrated ion-exchange technology for recovering by-product critical metals in the United States.
The product
Vertically integrated ion-exchange technology for recovering critical minerals — scandium, gallium, germanium, vanadium, copper, and uranium — from mining waste streams and byproducts. Kunin packages proven ligand-based ion-exchange resins (a chemistry pioneered by company namesake Robert Kunin at Rohm & Haas in the 1940s) into pre-assembled modular skid systems that retrofit onto existing mining operations, paired with multiphysics digital twins and automated process controls. The company also offers project finance structures so mine owners can develop byproduct assets.
The thesis
The U.S. has not produced primary gallium in nearly 40 years and is 100% import-reliant on China, which controls roughly 98% of global supply and in 2024 restricted exports of ion-exchange technologies to Western buyers. Kunin estimates over $3 trillion of value is locked in U.S. mining waste and byproduct resources that today are uneconomical to recover. Recovering those metals domestically — gallium, germanium, scandium, vanadium — directly feeds the semiconductor, magnet, fiber optic, defense, and wind-turbine supply chains that depend on them, making Kunin a reshoring play at the chokepoint between mining and refining.
How it runs
Operates as a vertically integrated ion-exchange company spanning resin manufacturing, metal-recovery process development and the design and construction of co-product plants at operating mines, smelters, refineries and industrial sites.
How it earns
The commercial model is not fully disclosed. Kunin presents itself as a resin manufacturer, process-technology developer, project builder and metal producer, but does not publicly specify the mix of product sales, licensing, project fees or metal-sale economics.
Why it wins
Pairs a new ion-exchange resin form factor with in-house process development and project execution, targeting selective recovery of low-concentration critical-metal by-products from existing industrial streams rather than requiring new primary mines.
Evidence ledger
- website · 2026-05-28
Kunin identifies as a reindustrialization company.
https://kunin.tech - web · 2026-09-29
canonical website URL vertically integrated ion-exchange positioning resin manufacturing, process development, and co-product plant model
https://kunin.com/ - web · 2026-04-14
Kunin's Chattanooga location selection for negotiations under TRACE-Ga proposed pathway for 12 tons per year of gallium selection was not a commitment to issue an award or provide funding
https://www.energy.gov/cmei/articles/does-office-critical-minerals-and-energy-innovation-selects-five-organizations
Articles, news, and updates
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