Adrian Oehmen

A modular BioBeads platform using immobilised, critical metal-selective proteins to enable selective capture and regenerative binding–release cycles of rare earth elements (REEs) and lithium (Li) from dilute industrial waste streams, in a more effective way than conventional solvent extraction and ion-exchange technologies.

Long term, we aim to establish a green protein-based commercial separation process using Biobeads for critical metal chelation at a low CAPEX and OPEX. Immobilised proteins will be entrapped in Biobeads, to enable deployable recovery units for selective recovery of critical metals from active and closed mines, as well as dilute and complex waste streams. This will create secondary supply chains that materially reduce reliance on virgin mining, with lower chemical and energetic demand, and improve the resilience, sustainability and geographic diversity of critical metal supplies.