Magrathea Unveils Revolutionary Magnesium Chloride Electrolyzer at Oakland Pilot Facility

California-based startup Magrathea has announced the successful launch of a next-generation magnesium chloride electrolyzer at its pilot facility in Oakland, California. This cutting-edge innovation is designed to efficiently split magnesium salts into high-purity magnesium metal, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable and scalable metal production technologies.

This development marks a significant step forward in clean metallurgy and could have profound implications for global supply chains, especially as magnesium becomes increasingly critical for lightweight materials in automotive, aerospace, and clean energy sectors.

The Challenge of Magnesium Production

Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in Earth’s crust, yet its production remains energy-intensive and environmentally challenging. Traditional processes such as the Pidgeon process or electrolysis of anhydrous magnesium chloride are costly, carbon-heavy, and largely centered in China, which accounts for over 85% of global production.

As industries shift toward lighter and greener materials, magnesium is gaining importance due to its strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. However, sustainable domestic production is critical to reduce dependency on foreign sources and meet climate goals.

Magrathea’s Next-Gen Electrolyzer: A Game-Changer

Magrathea’s new electrolyzer introduces a novel approach to the electrolytic extraction of magnesium from magnesium chloride (MgCl₂). The pilot facility aims to demonstrate the commercial viability of this process with several key advantages:

High Efficiency:

The electrolyzer uses a proprietary cell design to reduce energy consumption, lower operating temperatures, and improve yield.

Environmentally Friendly:

The process minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, avoids harmful by-products, and offers a clean alternative to carbon-heavy magnesium production.

Modular & Scalable:

The design is suited for modular deployment, enabling scalability from small pilot operations to full-scale commercial production.

Local Supply Chain Security:

By developing magnesium production capabilities within the U.S., Magrathea reduces the nation’s reliance on imports, aligning with strategic mineral independence goals.

The Pilot Facility in Oakland

The Oakland facility will serve as a test bed for process optimization, allowing engineers and researchers to fine-tune the system before scaling. It is expected to:

• Produce initial samples of magnesium metal for industrial partners

• Collect operational data for energy efficiency and product quality

• Validate economic models for larger-scale deployment

• Serve as a proof-of-concept for future investment rounds

Magnesium’s Role in the Green Economy

Magnesium is a critical material for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, lightweight structural alloys, battery technologies, and defence applications. Its potential to reduce vehicle weight by 30–40% compared to steel or aluminum makes it highly attractive to automotive OEMs targeting fuel efficiency and range.

Furthermore, magnesium-based alloys are essential in aerospace components, portable electronics, and even carbon capture infrastructure.

A New Chapter in U.S. Metal Innovation

Magrathea’s electrolyzer aligns with the broader movement of resilient and low-carbon supply chains in the U.S. By tapping into abundant magnesium chloride sources, such as seawater, salt lakes, and industrial brines, the company is making a strong case for green mineral extraction in a world racing toward net-zero emissions.

The project also supports U.S. policy efforts to re-shore critical mineral capabilities, and has the potential to attract funding from government programs focused on energy transition, such as the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E and the Critical Materials Innovation Hub.