Kunin
Vertically integrated nanofiber ion-exchange systems for recovering by-product critical metals in the United States.
The product
Kunin develops polymer nanofiber ion-exchange media with conventional ion-exchange functional chemistry in a higher-surface-area form factor. It packages the media into modular filter cartridges and pre-fabricated skid systems, then develops recovery flowsheets and integrates co-product plants for mines, smelters, refineries, and industrial sites.
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
Runs a full-stack delivery model: free-of-charge metallurgical testing and flowsheet development, in-house design and integration of co-product recovery plants, project-level debt financing for deployments, and qualification, sale, and trading of recovered critical metals.
How it earns
Kunin's public materials describe commercial roles in resin supply, process development, project building, financing, and metal marketing, but do not disclose pricing, contract structures, or the expected revenue mix.
Why it wins
Combines a polymer nanofiber ion-exchange form factor with modular equipment and full-stack project delivery. ORNL's Innovation Crossroads profile says the nanofiber system has 100 to 1,000 times higher specific surface area than resin beads and that Kunin's module has demonstrated 15 times bead-column throughput.
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 - web · 2026-10-10
Kunin is developing a polymer nanofiber membrane version of ion-exchange resin beads ORNL reports 100 to 1,000 times higher specific surface area and 15 times bead-column throughput Planned vertical integration spans nanofiber manufacturing, modules, process controls, and turnkey engineering
https://innovationcrossroads.ornl.gov/people/p31945/
Articles, news, and updates
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