KMX Technologies

About KMX Technologies

KMX Technologies, established in 2020, is a specialized technology company focused on water treatment and critical mineral extraction. The firm was founded through an asset acquisition of KMX Membrane Technologies, Corp., inheriting over 15 years of research in membrane distillation. The management team, led by CEO Zachary Sadow, brings experience from the energy and financial sectors. Sadow, a former energy analyst at Barclays and co-founder of Antelope Water Management, guides the company's strategic direction. He is joined by COO Christopher Kelley, who also co-founded Antelope and possesses extensive operational experience in the energy industry.

The company's core offering is a proprietary Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD) technology. This process facilitates the separation and recovery of pure water, lithium, and other critical minerals from industrial brine and waste streams at low temperatures and pressures. KMX's system uses a combination of heat and vacuum to drive water vapor across a hydrophobic membrane, separating it from dissolved minerals and other constituents. This approach is positioned as a more sustainable and economical alternative to traditional extraction methods, which are often energy-intensive. A key feature is the ability to produce high-quality distilled water as a byproduct, which can be reused in industrial processes, reducing the strain on local freshwater sources.

KMX operates in markets such as mining, energy, and industrial wastewater treatment. Its client base includes companies in lithium production, oil and gas, and other sectors with complex water treatment needs. The business model is multifaceted, involving the sale and licensing of its proprietary technology, as well as leasing treatment units to end-users for a fixed monthly cost. The company has formed strategic partnerships to advance its commercialization efforts, including collaborations with Sumitomo Electric for the supply of core membrane materials and with TETRA Technologies for deploying mobile treatment units. In a recent development, KMX is designing a new mobile commercial unit for TETRA, expected to be delivered in mid-2025.

Financially, KMX Technologies has progressed through several funding stages, including a Series A round. The company has raised a total of $8.61 million over four rounds, with a significant Series A round on August 13, 2024, which raised $6.94 million and was led by PureTerra Ventures and TETRA Technologies. These funds are earmarked for accelerating the commercialization of its VMD technology and expanding into new industries and geographic regions. The company has also secured an exclusive licensing agreement with Stardust Power to utilize its technology for lithium brine concentration.