Kunal Sinha, the former head of Glencore’s recycling business, has launched a metals processing startup in New York, which he claims could reduce both the cost and time required to refine copper and other minerals essential for modern industries.
The company, called Valor, is based on technology developed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Its process uses ligands, molecules that can be designed to bind to targeted metals when combined with an electric current. Sinha said the approach could capture copper or rare earth elements while avoiding other materials such as nickel.
Valor’s approach is being promoted as a potential alternative to conventional smelting and solvent extraction, which are energy-intensive and produce waste byproducts. The company believes its system could be applied to mined ore, spent batteries or even seafloor nodules. According to Sinha, initial trials suggest the process could operate at least ten times faster and cheaper than traditional methods while limiting waste, though it remains to be proven outside the laboratory.
Sinha left Glencore on September 5 after nearly 14 years with the company, where he worked in a variety of posts and most recently oversaw its recycling division. He said the chance to lead a new business focused on mineral recovery was a strong draw.
“There is a lot of value to be created by improving minerals processing in the West,” said Sinha, 44, who also advises rare earth magnet startup REalloys and has invested in magnesium processor Magrathea.
Valor has started raising capital to build a demonstration facility in either Massachusetts or New York. The startup aims to reach commercial output of at least five metals within two to three years, pending results from scale-up efforts and securing investors.
The company’s plans come as Washington pushes for more domestic mineral processing to reduce reliance on China, which dominates refining of rare earths and other materials used in artificial intelligence servers, electric vehicles and defense equipment. Industry officials have warned that US capacity remains limited despite rising demand.
Glencore’s communications office declined to discuss Sinha’s move, responding only that it had no comment on his departure or the launch of Valor.
