OptionV recovers vanadium from industrial waste streams, turning by‑products such as steelmaking slags into high‑purity chemicals for energy storage and other critical applications. By scaling circular extraction, the company reduces reliance on imported primary mining, cuts CO₂ emissions, and lowers the material cost of vanadium redox flow batteries, supporting decarbonization of heavy industry.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Industrial processes such as steelmaking, oil refining, and catalyst production generate large quantities of vanadium‑rich waste that is typically landfilled, creating both an environmental liability and a missed resource opportunity. The United States relies on imports for over 95% of its vanadium, exposing critical sectors to supply‑chain volatility and high carbon emissions from traditional mining.
Solution
OptionV extracts vanadium from these by‑product streams using its proprietary VantaGrip™ platform, a bio‑inspired, low‑temperature electrochemical process that selectively binds vanadium ions without harsh chemicals or high‑temperature smelting. The recovered metal is refined to high‑purity grades suitable for vanadium redox flow battery electrolytes, high‑strength low‑alloy steels, and advanced oxide powders. By converting waste into a domestic supply of critical mineral, OptionV reduces reliance on imported ore, lowers lifecycle CO₂ emissions, and provides a more stable, cost‑effective source of vanadium for energy storage and industrial applications.
Target Audience
Primary customers are manufacturers of vanadium redox flow batteries, steel producers seeking high‑strength alloys, and industrial firms requiring vanadium‑based catalysts for emissions control.
Features
- Bio‑inspired metal‑binding chemistry that mimics fungal systems for selective vanadium capture
- Low‑temperature, water‑based extraction eliminating the need for pyrometallurgy or caustic leaching
- Integrated purification steps delivering commercial‑grade high‑purity vanadium products
- Capability to process diverse waste feedstocks, including steel slags, oil fly ash, and spent catalysts
- Enables up to 20–40% reduction in vanadium electrolyte costs for redox flow batteries
- Supports domestic supply chains for aerospace alloys, steel strengthening, and emission‑reduction catalysts