Vulcan Elements Inc.

Vulcan Elements Inc. is a veteran-owned, self-certified small disadvantaged business manufacturer headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, that specializes in advanced materials manufacturing with a particular focus on rare-earth metals and innovative powertrain technologies for defense applications. Registered with SAM.gov since August 2023, the company has established itself as a strategic partner to the Department of Defense through multiple federal contracts aimed at securing domestic supply chains for materials critical to national security. Vulcan Elements Inc. provides specialized manufacturing expertise and research and development services to federal agencies, with a core mission of reducing U.S. reliance on foreign sources for defense-critical materials and establishing resilient domestic production capabilities.

Vulcan Elements Inc. has secured approximately $5.7 million in federal prime contract awards across six major engagements spanning from January 2025 through June 2027, demonstrating sustained investment from multiple defense agencies. The Air Force Research Laboratory has been the primary funding partner, awarding four contracts totaling approximately $4.6 million, including a $3.13 million Phase II SBIR contract for securing Department of the Air Force supply chains with rare-earth magnets (completion date March 23, 2027), a $1.21 million Phase II SBIR contract for establishing a domestic rare-earth metal manufacturing supply chain (completion date June 30, 2027), a $73,847 Phase I SBIR contract for the same supply chain initiative, and a $108,170 Phase I STTR contract for PRISM (Prediction and Rapid Iterations in Synthesis of Magnets). The Department of Defense's Strategic Materials office awarded an $894,681 firm fixed-price contract for domestic rare-earth magnet qualification (completion date March 31, 2026), and the Department of the Army awarded a $248,144 Phase I SBIR contract for hybrid electric powertrain, power, and propulsion systems research (completion date September 10, 2025). All awards utilized total small business set-aside designations or no set-aside restrictions, reflecting the company's small business status and the federal government's commitment to leveraging small disadvantaged businesses for critical defense materials development.

Most advanced machines (i.e., electric vehicles, nuclear submarines, drones, satellites, offshore wind turbines, robotics, medical imaging equipment, iPhones, etc.) rely on rare-earth magnets to operate. Today, >90% of rare-earth magnets are produced in China where one ton of magnets manufactured emits nearly 60 tons of carbon. Reliance on a potential adversary for critical supply chain components creates risk to U.S. National Security and our ability to build a high-tech, decarbonized economy. Vulcan Elements' rare-earth magnet technology enables a secure U.S. supply chain and aids in the transition to a decarbonized economy.