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Duranium: Critical metals producer developing reactor technology to produce titanium, magnesium, and aluminum for U.S. industry with zero direct emissions.
Key people at Duranium.
Duranium was founded in 2025 by Brenden Prins-McKinney (Founder/CEO) and Berkley Noble (Founder/CTO).
Based in Alameda, California, Duranium develops reactor technology utilizing modernized carbochlorination to produce critical metals such as titanium, magnesium, aluminum, zirconium, and hafnium domestically. The organization operates a closed-loop manufacturing process that recycles industrial byproducts into usable feedstock, generating zero direct emissions while simultaneously producing secondary commercial chemicals like hypochlorite and bleaching agents. Operating with a team of four employees, the firm aims to supply 12 percent of the domestic magnesium market by 2029 while maintaining operating margins above 50 percent and delivering pricing competitive with international markets. To support its national security and supply chain resilience initiatives, Duranium has raised $1 million in early-stage funding from venture capital investors including Y Combinator and FundersClub, with leadership bringing prior experience from McKinsey and Stanford Law. The company was founded in 2025 by Berkley Noble and Brenden Prins-McKinney.
Duranium was founded in 2025 by Brenden Prins-McKinney (Founder/CEO) and Berkley Noble (Founder/CTO).
Duranium is a technology company focused on reshoring critical metal production in the United States by revolutionizing the manufacturing of titanium, magnesium, aluminum, zirconium, and hafnium through advanced carbochlorination reactor technology. Their innovation enables clean, cost-competitive production with zero direct emissions and no reliance on subsidies, addressing the U.S. supply chain vulnerability caused by foreign concentration, particularly China’s dominance in these metals. This technology unlocks profitability at Chinese-level pricing while recycling byproducts into valuable coproducts, making it a transformative solution for critical metal supply[1].
For an investment firm, Duranium represents a mission-driven opportunity to support U.S. metal independence through clean technology, with an investment philosophy centered on strategic reshoring and sustainability in critical materials. Key sectors include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and clean energy. Its impact on the startup ecosystem lies in pioneering scalable, environmentally friendly metallurgical processes that could catalyze domestic supply chains and reduce geopolitical risks.
For a portfolio company, Duranium builds a proprietary reactor system that modernizes carbochlorination metallurgy, serving aerospace, defense, and clean tech industries reliant on titanium and magnesium. It solves the problem of uncompetitive pricing and emissions in legacy metal production, enabling domestic production at globally competitive costs. The company is gaining growth momentum by demonstrating best-in-class profitability and environmental performance without subsidies, positioning itself as a critical enabler of U.S. supply chain resilience[1].
Duranium was founded to address the critical supply chain vulnerabilities in U.S. metal production, particularly the near-total dependence on foreign sources for titanium and magnesium, which are essential for national security and advanced aerospace systems. The founders recognized that legacy carbochlorination methods were environmentally and economically unsustainable and sought to modernize this proven process with a reactor that recycles emissions and byproducts, creating a closed-loop system. This innovation emerged from metallurgical expertise and a strategic imperative to restore domestic production capabilities. Early traction includes demonstrating competitive pricing against Chinese producers and achieving zero direct emissions, a pivotal milestone for industry adoption[1].
Duranium rides the global trend of reshoring critical mineral and metal production amid geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. The timing is crucial as the U.S. seeks to reduce dependence on China, which controls over 95% of global magnesium and titanium sponge production. Market forces favor technologies that combine cost competitiveness with environmental sustainability, especially for metals integral to clean energy, aerospace, and defense sectors. By enabling domestic, clean production of critical metals, Duranium influences the broader ecosystem by strengthening U.S. industrial independence and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy[1].
Looking ahead, Duranium is poised to scale its reactor technology to commercial production, potentially transforming the U.S. critical metals landscape. Trends shaping its journey include increasing government and industry focus on supply chain security, decarbonization mandates, and rising demand for aerospace and defense materials. As the company expands, its influence may extend beyond titanium and magnesium to other critical metals, reinforcing U.S. strategic autonomy. The success of Duranium’s model could inspire further innovation in clean metallurgical processes, making it a cornerstone of America’s industrial and technological future[1].
Key people at Duranium.