Orial Technologies is a deep-tech startup operating primarily in the metal production sector. The company is developing next generation 100% electrical high-temperature burners for the mining and metal recovery industry. The burners — called plasma torches — are based on a novel, proprietary technology that has been developed in collaboration with Lund University (Sweden), the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (Germany) and Columbia University (USA).

A plasma torch is an electrical high‑temperature heating device that converts basically any working gas into a concentrated plasma jet. The plasma jet resembles a welding flame but operates at far higher temperatures and energy densities. Temperatures can reach up to 30 000°C and power outputs can be in the megawatt range.

However, current commercial systems lack the robustness and practicality required for widespread adoption. They are often bulky, complex to operate, and most importantly they require frequent maintenance and replacement of critical components, causing long and recurring downtimes and high maintenance costs.

Our technology directly addresses these limitations. It enables torches that are robust, stable, and user-friendly, while offering true modularity and mobility, lower operating costs, minimal critical-component replacement, reduced downtime, and significantly longer service life.

Applications (summary)

• Metal recycling, cutting, and process heating in mining
• Vaporization of rock and waste
• Sustainable production of hydrogen, fertilizers, and cement

Plasma is the fourth state of matter. It is characterized by having a substantial fraction of ionized particles. It is formed by stripping one or several electrons from atoms or molecules, producing freely moving negatively charged electrons and positively charged ions.

Plasma can reach extremely high temperatures. In nuclear fusion, the plasma must reach 100 million degrees. For plasma torches a few thousand degrees is enough, but even these temperatures lead to extreme wear of device components, frequent repairs, and long downtimes if not handled correctly.