Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF) recently flipped the switch on rare earth oxide production at its Belfast demonstration plant in the UK, applying its separation and refining technology to recycle and refine magnet rare earths from used permanent (NdFeB) magnets.
The company’s hydrometallurgical process is able to deliver high purity separated magnet rare earth oxides no matter the quality and variability in composition of magnet feedstock.
Unlike other recycling processes, Ionic’s technology can recycle any form of mixed waste magnets and production swarf regardless of type, age or coatings. The technology is not reliant on a single feedstock stream.
Rare earths are critical to the future of the net zero energy transition.
Growing demand for these elements is driven by the ever-increasing investment in wind energy and electric vehicles (EVs).
Despite their name, many rare earths are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust, but unfortunately, they are very difficult and expensive to extract and process.
That’s where Ionic Technologies come in.
The company’s patented process enables the extraction of magnet rare earths that are already present in end-of-life magnets.
Ionic’s technology was developed at Queens University Belfast (QUB) QUILL Research Centre, the oldest and most established centre dedicated to studying ionic liquids.
The company is making strides towards powering a sustainable future by recycling secure, sustainable and traceable magnet rare earth oxides.
Recycling of magnet rare earth oxides makes up 40% of existing global supply, dominated by China.
Demonstration plant
Ionic’s demonstration plant in Belfast, UK recently started producing magnet rare earth oxides (REOs).
The company will process both end-of-life magnets (waste) and swarf, to recover, separate and refine high-purity magnet REOs.
The current plan is to process 30 tonnes of NdFeB magnet feedstock, producing over 10 tonnes of separated magnet REOs over the next 12 months.
Ionic is well prepared, having already secured over 50 tonnes of NdFeB magnets.
Path to commercialisation.
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