MTM Critical Metals (ASX: MTM) has announced a significant breakthrough in the recovery of gallium and germanium, two metals crucial to the ongoing economic tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The company’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology has successfully extracted approximately 90 per cent of gallium and 80 per cent of germanium from semiconductor industry waste, addressing a challenge previously deemed commercially unviable.
This development comes at a critical time in the global technology metals market.
China, which controls 95 per cent of global gallium production, has recently banned exports of gallium and germanium to the United States as part of retaliatory trade measures against new tariffs imposed by President Trump.
This move has prompted Western governments to urgently seek alternative supplies.
The significance of MTM’s breakthrough is underscored by recent market trends.
Gallium prices surged over 50 per cent in 2024, with experts warning of potential shortages in key industries such as semiconductors, military technology, and renewable energy.
MTM’s innovation potentially offers a viable, non-Chinese supply solution as the U.S. and its allies intensify efforts to secure domestic sources of critical minerals.
Michael Walshe, Managing Director & CEO of MTM, emphasised the timeliness of this achievement, stating: “We’re thrilled with FJH technology’s versatility across multiple metals, and the latest test results for ultra-high-value technology metals couldn’t be timelier given the current geopolitical landscape.
“Ga & Ge are indispensable to semiconductors and defence applications, yet their supply chains remain highly vulnerable due to overwhelming dependence on imports — particularly from China.”
MTM’s FJH technology stands out as a world-first in effectively extracting gallium and germanium from semiconductor waste without using acids or environmentally harmful methods.
This sustainable approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also positions MTM at the forefront of a multi-billion-dollar market as industries and governments seek sustainable, onshore critical metal supply solutions.
The company’s strategic partnership with Indium Corporation, one of the Western world’s largest suppliers of refined specialty technology metals, has been instrumental in sourcing high-value feedstock for testing.
This collaboration strengthens MTM‘s access to critical materials and accelerates the pathway towards commercialisation.
With plans to begin production by late 2025 from its US-based commercial one-tonne-per-day pilot plant, MTM is poised to play a crucial role in reshaping the supply chain for these essential metals.
As geopolitical tensions continue to impact global trade, MTM’s breakthrough could prove instrumental in securing a stable, domestic supply of gallium and germanium for Western markets.
