Rubidium Extraction from oilfield brine
From Waste Stream to Strategic Asset: Xylion Technologies is Unlocking America’s Hidden Resources
Every day, vast amounts of saltwater brine are brought to the surface as a byproduct of oil and gas operations. Historically viewed as a waste product, this brine contains a hidden treasure trove of critical minerals essential for our nation’s security and technological advancement. At the forefront of unlocking this potential is Xylion Technologies, a company pioneering a new era of resource extraction.
With an initial focus on Rubidium, Xylion is developing advanced materials and proprietary processes to build a secure, domestic supply chain for some of the world’s most vital elements.
Addressing a Critical National Need
The United States is currently 100% reliant on imports for its supply of rubidium, a mineral that is indispensable to national security and economic competitiveness. Rubidium is a key component in a range of high-tech applications, including:
- Atomic clocks, which provide the ultra-precise timekeeping essential for GPS and 5G networks.
- Specialty glass used in fiber optics.
- Night vision goggles.
- Advanced biomedical applications.
By developing a method to extract this mineral from oilfield brine, Xylion is not just creating a new market—it is turning an industrial waste stream into a strategic national resource. This work strongly positions the company as a potential partner in national initiatives to secure domestic critical mineral supply chains, opening the door for support from federal agencies like the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy.
The Xylion Solution: Proprietary Technology and Proven Expertise
At the heart of Xylion’s operation is a proprietary ion exchange technology centered on its
Xy-lect Rb 100 adsorbent. This process is being developed to efficiently separate high-purity rubidium from the complex brine of North Dakota’s Bakken formation, a resource rich in this critical mineral.
While the immediate focus is on rubidium, Xylion’s expertise is built on a deep foundation of research and development. The team has spent years and over $10 million in R&D to develop and validate ion exchange media for lithium, giving them world-class knowledge in the field of mineral extraction. This proven experience is now being applied to accelerate the development of the rubidium extraction process.
The company’s operations are strategically based in North Dakota to take advantage of the state’s supportive regulatory environment, low-cost energy, and significant infrastructure for handling raw materials.
A Vision for the Future
Xylion Technologies is on a clear, phased path to commercialization. The journey begins with a pilot plant scheduled for mid-2026, which will validate the technology and pave the way for a multi-phase expansion to a full capacity of 50,000 barrels per day.
Beyond the immediate goal of rubidium production, the company has a broader vision. The expertise gained from this project aims to establish Xylion as a North American leader in the manufacturing of proprietary ion exchange media—a field currently dominated by China. This opens up future opportunities to produce media for other critical metals like Gallium, Scandium, and Tantalum.
Furthermore, the company is already conceptualizing the next generation of extraction technology. Its
Xy-ELIP (Electrochemical Ion Pumping) system is being designed to dramatically accelerate extraction, reduce operating costs by nearly eliminating chemical inputs, and enhance sustainability by minimizing waste.
By combining proven expertise with a forward-looking vision, Xylion Technologies is not just building a company; it is creating a cornerstone for America’s critical mineral independence.