Available for Licensing - Electrochemical Rare Earth Recovery from Coal Fly Ash: Turn Waste Stockpiles into Critical Materials Revenue
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), under the Department of Energy, has issued a Special Notice regarding a patent-pending electrochemical process for Rare Earth Element (REE) recovery from coal fly ash. INL is seeking industrial partners to license and commercialize this technology, which aims to turn waste stockpiles into critical materials revenue. The response date is August 1, 2026.
Technology Overview
Researchers at INL have developed an electrochemical process that selectively extracts REEs from coal fly ash leachate using electricity, eliminating the need for chemical reagents. This technology employs tuned anodic electrosorption with functionalized mesoporous carbon electrodes, achieving superior separation of REEs from competing metal ions.
Opportunity & Competitive Advantages
Coal fly ash represents a massive untapped resource in the U.S. (1.5 billion tons stockpiled, containing 74,000-106,000 metric tons of REEs). Current extraction methods are inefficient, costly, and environmentally burdensome, relying on large volumes of chemical reagents, generating hazardous waste, and requiring numerous extraction cycles (50-200) for purity.
In contrast, the INL electrochemical process offers:
- Separation Factor: ~7 (vs. typically <10 for conventional)
- Processing Time: Hours (vs. days to weeks)
- Operation: Electricity-driven, reagent-free
- Waste: Minimal generation, lower disposal burden
- System: Compact, modular design
- Efficiency: 60% recovery efficiency, reusable electrodes, lower operating costs.
Market Applications
This technology is applicable to:
- Coal Power Plants: Converting fly ash from a liability to a revenue stream.
- REE Recovery Companies: Providing a cleaner, faster processing alternative.
- Environmental Remediation: Processing mining tailings and contaminated soils.
- Critical Materials Supply Chain: Supporting domestic REE sourcing for defense and electronics.
- Beyond Coal Fly Ash: Applicable to any complex mixed-ion separation challenge.
Development and Licensing
The technology is currently undergoing laboratory-scale validation. The next step involves a pilot-scale demonstration with a commercial partner. INL is actively seeking industrial partners for licensing and commercialization. INL does not procure services as part of its collaboration agreements.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Date: August 1, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC
- Published Date: June 11, 2026, 04:50 PM UTC
Contact Information
For licensing inquiries, contact Javier Martinez at javier.martinez@inl.gov.