Itronics
- Company typePublic
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersReno, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Itronics does
Itronics Inc. is a Reno, Nevada-based cleantech materials company that operates three vertically integrated business units unified by a single proprietary chemistry platform, Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) technology developed and refined over more than 25 years. The company's IP portfolio has been independently valued at over $25 million and is protected primarily as trade secrets. Unit one, ZMC critical minerals processing (commercially launched May 2026), recovers manganese dioxide (~54%), zinc (~27%), graphite (~6%), and potassium (~6%) from alkaline battery black mass; recovered minerals are sold into domestic and international steel, battery, mining, and agricultural markets. Unit two, GOLD'n GRO chelated multi-nutrient liquid fertilizers, has been sold commercially for over 20 years into California and western-US agriculture, landscape, and nursery markets. Unit three, Rock Kleen mine tailings processing technology, is licensed externally (with an Australasian agent in place) and achieves 98% gold and 91-93% silver recovery from heap leach tailings versus conventional rates of ~80% and ~50%, respectively. The Stead manufacturing facility is a custom-engineered 35,000+ square-foot plant on 3.5 acres, fully permitted and configured to support a 3x scale-up from initial production.
Itronics also operates subsidiaries including wholly-owned Itronics Metallurgical (photochemical recycling and silver recovery), Whitney & Whitney (mining technical services), and majority-owned Auric Gold & Minerals (66%), which controls the Auric Fulstone polymetallic project in Nevada's Yerington Mining District, comprising 148 lode mining claims covering nearly 3,000 acres and an estimated 557,000 tons of tailings resource. The company restarted pilot-scale printed circuit board refining targeting gold and silver, and sells collectible Silver Nevada Miner bars through its e-commerce storefront. It is led by founder Dr. John W. Whitney, a world-recognized DES chemist.
Revenue is generated through three mechanisms: per-ton critical minerals processing (projected at $10,000/ton of ZMC, eligible for a 10% Section 45X tax credit), GOLD'n GRO fertilizer sales through a now non-exclusive distributor network plus direct e-commerce, and Rock Kleen technology licensing (estimated ~$50/ton gross value from tailings processing). Distribution moved from an exclusive regional model to a non-exclusive network spanning Western Farm Services and other distributors across the western US (with registrations underway in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho) and select international markets. The company is publicly traded on OTC under ITRO with additional Frankfurt and Berlin listings, was founded in the late 1980s, and operates with 11-50 employees.
Itronics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Itronics
- Legal name
- Itronics Inc.
- Website
- https://itronics.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Itronics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Critical Minerals and Specialty Fertilizers
- NAICS
- Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Smelting and Refining (33141), Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (except Copper and Aluminum) (331492), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Other Metal Ore Mining (21229)
- SIC
- Secondary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3341), Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330), Gold And Silver Ores (1040)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Battery Materials Refining & Re-Manufacturing Feedstocks (Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Graphite Salts) (EUAIAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Battery Scrap & Recycling Feedstock (Lead-Acid, Li-ion Black Mass Feedstock, NiMH) (IMAKAMAH), Critical Minerals Recycling & Urban Mining (Li, Ni, Co, Graphite, REE) (IMAKAFAK), Precious & Specialty Metal Recovery (Smelting, Refining, Hydrometallurgy) (EUAIAIAD), Metals Recycling & Processing (Ferrous/Non-Ferrous) (BPALADAF)
Keywords
Where Itronics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reno
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Itronics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- ZMC Critical Minerals Processing: Processing of alkaline battery black mass (ZMC) for recovery of critical minerals manganese dioxide, zinc, graphite, and potassium. Recovered minerals are sold into domestic and international steel, battery, mining, and agricultural markets. Revenue projected at $10,000 per ton of ZMC processed. Operations qualify for 10% tax credit under Section 45X of Internal Revenue Code.
- GOLD'n GRO Fertilizer Sales: Sales of proprietary chelated multi-nutrient liquid fertilizers. Zinc recovered from ZMC feeds fertilizer production directly, creating structural cost advantage. Sold through distributor network and direct e-commerce. Product used extensively in California agriculture, landscape maintenance, and nurseries.
- Silver and Precious Metals: Recovery and sale of silver bullion and silver-bearing glass. Company also developing Auric Gold & Minerals project for gold, copper, and polymetallic recovery from mining claims. Restarting pilot scale circuit board refining operations targeting gold and silver recovery.
- Rock Kleen Technology Licensing: Licensing of Rock Kleen technology for mine tailings processing. Company has established representative agent in Australasia. Phase 2 Rock Kleen testing program at operating gold mine site in progress. Estimated ~$50/ton gross value from tailings processing.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Itronics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Itronics recovers critical minerals (manganese dioxide, zinc, graphite, and potassium) from alkaline battery scrap using its proprietary Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) technology, sells recovered minerals into steel, battery, mining, and agricultural markets, and converts a portion directly into its GOLD'n GRO chelated multi-nutrient liquid fertilizers. The company also develops and licenses its Rock Kleen mine tailings processing technology, which converts tailings into recoverable precious metals, base metals, critical minerals, and industrial minerals. Additional offerings include Silver Nevada Miner collectible silver bars, GOLD'n GRO GUARDIAN fertilizer-repellent products, and printed circuit board refining.
Product overview
Itronics operates as a vertically integrated cleantech materials company with three core business units: (1) ZMC Critical Minerals Processing - recovers critical minerals (manganese dioxide, zinc, graphite, potassium) from alkaline battery scrap using proprietary Deep Eutectic Solvent technology; (2) GOLD'n GRO Multi-Nutrient Liquid Fertilizers - award-winning chelated liquid fertilizers sold for over 20 years in agriculture, landscape, and nursery markets; and (3) Rock Kleen Mine Tailings Processing - proprietary technology converting mine tailings into recoverable metals and minerals. The company also operates subsidiaries including Itronics Metallurgical (photochemical recycling and silver recovery), Whitney & Whitney (mining technical services), and majority-owned Auric Gold & Minerals (mineral exploration). The DES technology platform, independently valued at over $25 million, powers all business units creating a circular, zero-waste production model.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GOLD'n GRO: Award-winning multi-nutrient liquid fertilizers for agriculture, landscape maintenance, and nurseries. Used extensively in California and expanding into domestic and international markets.
- Rock Kleen
- ZMC (Zinc Manganese Concentrate)
- DES (Deep Eutectic Solvent)
- Auric Gold & Minerals
- Silver Nevada Miner Bars
- HiSCAT
Products and services
- GOLD'n GRO Multi-Nutrient Liquid Fertilizers Proprietary line of chelated multi-nutrient liquid fertilizers sold commercially for over 20 years, used extensively in agriculture, landscape maintenance, and nurseries. Delivers nitrogen, phosphate, zinc, potassium, and other micronutrients via chloride-free formulation with low salt index and no microplastics. Each crop has its own specialty formula developed through years of field studies. Sold through Western Farm Services, a non-exclusive distributor network, and direct e-commerce.
- ZMC Critical Minerals Processing Service Critical minerals recovery operation processing alkaline battery black mass (ZMC) using proprietary DES technology to produce manganese dioxide (54.4%), zinc (27.5%), graphite (6.0%), and potassium (6.0%). Recovered minerals are sold as standalone products into domestic and international steel, battery, mining, and agricultural markets, while a portion feeds GOLD'n GRO fertilizer production. Revenue projected at $10,000 per ton of ZMC processed. Positions Itronics as one of the only domestic producers of manganese dioxide in the United States. Operations qualify for 10% Section 45X tax credit.
- Rock Kleen Mine Tailings Processing Technology Proprietary DES-based system (tagline: 'Mines Become Quarries') that processes mine tailings into recoverable precious metals, base metals, critical minerals, nutrient minerals, and industrial minerals. Achieves 98% gold recovery from heap leach tailings vs conventional ~80%, 91-93% silver recovery vs conventional ~50%, and 75% gold recovery from historical tailings vs conventional 57%. Available for licensing, with an established representative agent in Australasia.
- GOLD'n GRO GUARDIAN Combined fertilizer and deer/rabbit repellent product for professional landscapers and turf/ornamental markets. Combines GOLD'n GRO chelated nutrient delivery with repellent functionality in one application. Approved for use by the North American Deer Management Network.
- Silver Nevada Miner Bars Collectible silver bullion souvenir products, 5 troy ounce, 99.9% pure silver bars commemorating Nevada's silver mining history. Currently the only 5 troy ounce silver bar manufactured and sold in the United States. Sold via direct e-commerce.
- GOLD'n GRO Fertilizer Injectors Home lawn and garden fertilizer injector product that brings specialty agriculture effectiveness to homeowners. Requires no electrical hook-up and is designed for areas of 5,000+ square feet.
- Printed Circuit Board Refining Service Service for recovering precious metals from printed circuit boards with unique ability to recover tin from solder in addition to gold, silver, and copper. The Reno, Nevada location provides shorter shipping distances from California and Arizona sources compared to European and Japanese smelters. Tin recovery is worth almost as much as copper recovered, providing economic advantage.
Quantifiable outcome
- Gold recovery from heap leach tailings: 98% vs conventional ~80%
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Itronics
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Itronics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Itronics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Battery Recyclers (Undisclosed)coreItronics has reached agreements with two battery recyclers for supply of Zinc Manganese Concentrate (ZMC) feedstock for its critical minerals processing operations. These supply agreements provide secured feedstock base as commercial-scale ZMC operations commence.
- Australian Company for Rock Kleen MarketingcoreItronics established a relationship with an Australian company for marketing Rock Kleen technology in Australia and Pacific Island nations. Two potential Rock Kleen projects have been identified with additional projects anticipated. An established representative agent represents the company in Australasia.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Itronics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Li-Cycle: Toronto-based public battery recycler using a hydrometallurgical ("spoke-and-hub") process to recover critical minerals from lithium-ion battery scrap. Directly comparable to Itronics' ZMC operation as both pursue domestic critical-minerals recovery from battery feedstock using chemistry-based processes.
- Cirba Solutions: U.S. battery materials and e-waste processor with hydrometallurgical recovery of critical minerals from lithium-ion and other battery chemistries. Same broad category of domestic battery-to-critical-minerals supply chain.
- Redwood Materials: Founded by former Tesla CTO JB Straubel, Redwood is the highest-profile U.S. battery recycling startup focused on end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and critical minerals recovery. Comparable technology category and customer overlap (domestic battery/critical-minerals supply).
- Ascend Elements: U.S.-based battery materials company (formerly Battery Resourcers) that hydrometallurgically recovers lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese from spent batteries for direct precursor cathode active material production. Closest comparable in business model and chemistry-based critical-minerals recovery.
- Heritage Battery Recycling: U.S. lithium-ion battery recycler with hydrometallurgical processing for critical minerals (Ni, Co, Li). Operates as a similar domestic feedstock aggregator and processor to Itronics' planned ZMC supply chain.
Emerging players
- Jetti Resources: U.S.-based cleantech miner using proprietary chemistry to extract copper from low-grade ores and mine tailings. Comparable business in deploying chemistry IP to recover metals from mining waste streams, though focused on copper rather than the broader Itronics platform.
- EnviroLeach Technologies: Canadian junior developing non-cyanide, water-based hydrometallurgical processes for recovery of precious and base metals from e-waste and mining materials. Comparable at the chemistry platform level to Itronics' DES/Rock Kleen systems.
Regional players
- SungEel HiTech: Korea's leading battery recycling and secondary battery material producer, hydrometallurgically recovering Ni, Co, Li, Mn from spent lithium-ion batteries. Comparable technology stack but primarily serving Asian markets.
Broad incumbents
- Umicore: Belgium-based global materials technology and recycling group with non-ferrous metals refining, precious metals recycling and battery materials operations. Much larger incumbent competing in the broader non-ferrous and critical-minerals recovery market.
- Glencore: Global mining, smelting and trading major with significant battery materials and critical-minerals recycling ambitions. Broad incumbent in non-ferrous metal smelting and refining that competes for the same end markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Itronics social profiles
Digital presenceItronics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Itronics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Itronics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Itronics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Itronics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Itronics
What does Itronics do?
Itronics recovers critical minerals (manganese dioxide, zinc, graphite, and potassium) from alkaline battery scrap using its proprietary Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) technology, sells recovered minerals into steel, battery, mining, and agricultural markets, and converts a portion directly into its GOLD'n GRO chelated multi-nutrient liquid fertilizers. The company also develops and licenses its Rock Kleen mine tailings processing technology, which converts tailings into recoverable precious metals, base metals, critical minerals, and industrial minerals. Additional offerings include Silver Nevada Miner collectible silver bars, GOLD'n GRO GUARDIAN fertilizer-repellent products, and printed circuit board refining.
Is Itronics a public or private company?
Itronics is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Itronics founded?
Itronics was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Itronics based?
Itronics is headquartered in Reno, United States, in the North America region.
How does Itronics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. ZMC Critical Minerals Processing is the primary driver. The others are GOLD'n GRO Fertilizer Sales, silver and Precious Metals and rock Kleen Technology Licensing.
Who are Itronics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Li-Cycle, Cirba Solutions, Redwood Materials, Ascend Elements and Heritage Battery Recycling. Emerging players are Jetti Resources and EnviroLeach Technologies. SungEel HiTech is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Umicore and Glencore.
Does Itronics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Itronics.
What industry is Itronics in?
Itronics's product category is Critical Minerals and Specialty Fertilizers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIAIAJ, Battery Materials Refining & Re-Manufacturing Feedstocks (Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Graphite Salts), with a secondary code of IMAKAMAH, Battery Scrap & Recycling Feedstock (Lead-Acid, Li-ion Black Mass Feedstock, NiMH). Its NAICS code is 33141 and its SIC code is 3341.