Redefining Metallurgy
SOLUBIND

Growing critical metals supply through protein-based waste recycling.

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01 · The Problem

Europe's critical metals supply is locked up by monopoly suppliers.

98%
EU Reliance

EU reliance on Chinese rare earths (2025).

76,000 t/a
Projected Demand

Projected demand for tech-enabling metals by 2040.

40%
EU Target

EU critical-metals refinement target for 2030.

Red mud pond aerial view
02 · The Opportunity

We have more than enough resources. They're sitting in the waste.

1.8 Bn t/a
Mineral Wastes

Processing by-products stockpiled in landfills and dams.

16 Bn t/a
Mine Tailings

Legacy piles, sometimes rivaling primary ores in metal content.

21 Bn m³/a
Industrial Waters

Wastewater streams from pharma, petroleum, semiconductors.

03 · The Solution

Protein-based extraction — built for waste streams where hydrometallurgy struggles.

Waste
→
Protein Extraction
→
Metal Oxide
−70%
Acid Use

vs. traditional methods.

4.5×
Recovery

Higher yield from waste.

−4×
Process Steps

Fewer process steps.

Engineered protein structure

Engineered Selectivity

Computationally designed proteins that bind specific target metals — across critical metal families. Selective extraction from complex industrial waste streams.

04 · The Team

Who We Are

Leon Reuter

Leon Reuter

CEO

Business & development strategy. Biotechnology & biological lab work. Background at RWTH Aachen, iGEM, DWI Leibniz Institute.

Kartikeya Marepalli

Kartikeya Marepalli

CTO

Metallurgical process development & benchmarking. Background at RWTH IME, ArcelorMittal/Nippon Steel, CYLIB.

Pascal Schroeder

Pascal Schroeder

CSO

Scientific strategy & computational protein design. Background at RWTH Aachen, iGEM, Sorbonne Université.

Supported by: The Materials Lab Incubator · RWTH Innovation · DEEP Ecosystems
05 · Contact

Get in Touch

Interested in our technology? Let's talk.

info@solubind.com

Solubind · The Materials Lab Incubator · Aachen, Germany