RareTerra uses engineered microbes to selectively bind and extract lanthanides from ores, electronic waste, and machining swarf at ambient temperature, producing spec‑grade rare earth metals without toxic chemicals. The bioprocess cuts energy use and greenhouse‑gas emissions while delivering a domestic, circular supply for EVs, data‑center hardware, defense, and consumer electronics.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Current rare earth extraction relies on hydrometallurgical processes that use toxic chemicals, generate high greenhouse‑gas emissions, and depend on limited, geopolitically concentrated supply chains, leading to high costs and supply insecurity for critical technologies.
Solution
RareTerra replaces conventional chemical extraction with engineered microbes that selectively bind and separate lanthanides from ore, concentrates, electronic waste, and manufacturing swarf at ambient temperature and pressure. The microbes are equipped with dense arrays of chelators and transporters that differentiate ions based on subtle variations in ionic radius, enabling precise capture of individual rare earth elements. After biological uptake, the microbes are processed to release spec‑grade rare earth metals, delivering high‑purity products without hazardous reagents. This biotechnology reduces energy use, eliminates toxic waste streams, and creates a domestic, circular supply of rare earths for clean‑energy, defense, communications, and consumer technology applications.
Target Audience
Primary customers are manufacturers of electric vehicles, data center hardware, defense systems, and consumer electronics who require reliable, low‑cost rare earth supplies, as well as recycling firms seeking to recover critical minerals from electronic waste.
Features
- Engineered microbial strains with tailored chelator proteins for selective lanthanide capture
- Ambient‑temperature, aqueous processing that avoids strong acids and solvents
- Capability to process diverse feedstocks including primary ores, concentrates, e‑waste, and machining swarf
- Integrated purification steps that yield spec‑grade rare earth metals suitable for downstream manufacturing
- Scalable bioreactor platform designed for low‑cost, American‑made production
- Reduced greenhouse‑gas emissions and elimination of hazardous chemical waste compared to traditional hydrometallurgy