Former Glencore Recycling Chief Launches US Startup to Revolutionize Critical Minerals Processing
Ex-Glencore Executive Kunal Sinha Launches Valor to Cut Costs in Copper and Critical Minerals Processing
The former head of Glencore’s recycling business, Kunal Sinha, has launched a US-based metals processing company aimed at significantly reducing the cost and time required to refine copper and other critical minerals.
The move comes as Washington and other governments intensify pressure on industry to develop domestic processing capabilities to strengthen supply chains for AI servers, defense systems, and advanced electronics. Currently, the United States processes very few critical minerals, while China dominates global refining capacity.
Sinha, who spent nearly 14 years at Glencore before stepping down last week, has founded Valor, a New York-based processing startup leveraging technology developed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Valor’s method uses ligands—specialized molecules that selectively bind to metals in solution when exposed to an electric current. For example, ligands could be programmed to extract copper or rare earth elements while leaving nickel untouched.
The technology has the potential to be applied to hard rock mining, recycled batteries, and even deep-sea nodules. According to Sinha, it could be at least ten times cheaper and faster than traditional processing methods while generating zero waste, though large-scale testing is still required.
Building a Critical Minerals Supply Chain in the US
Sinha, 44, said part of his motivation for leaving Glencore was the opportunity to build a company from the ground up.
“There is a lot of value to be created by improving minerals processing in the West,” he noted.
In addition to leading Valor, Sinha also serves as an advisor to rare earth magnet startup REalloys and is an investor in magnesium processing company Magrathea.
Valor has begun a fundraising push to support the construction of a demonstration plant in either Massachusetts or New York. If successful, the company expects to achieve full-scale commercial production of at least five metals within two to three years.
Glencore declined to comment on Sinha’s departure.
