Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF) is gearing up for 24-hour, 7-days-a-week production capacity at its magnet recycling Demonstration Plant in the UK, paving the way for a sustainable and traceable rare earth supply chain, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines.
IonicRE's Belfast plant operated by subsidiary Ionic Technologies International Ltd is undergoing final commissioning and will soon be churning out high-purity rare earth oxides (REOs) non-stop for the likes of Ford Technologies and Less Common Metals.
Ionic Technologies is also in discussions with other rare earth metal, alloy and magnet manufacturers plus original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for additional supply chain collaborations.
Pre-production
Ionic Technologies' patented process boasts efficiency, minimal environmental impact and the ability to handle lower-grade magnets, opening up a vast source of valuable materials.
Pre-production has commenced ahead of the non-stop operation, with more than 300 kilograms of magnets being processed and more than 700 kilograms of magnet slurry being prepared for processing at the Demonstration Plant.
New investments
To maximise efficiency through the pre-treatment and separation processes in the Demonstration Plant, Ionic Technologies has invested in a first-of-its-kind control system, specifically designed for the complexities of the patented process for magnet recycling and REO recovery.
Other key highlights ahead of the pivotal moment include custom filter presses to ensure safe solid/liquid separation for various magnets and expansion of the operations team to meet growing demand for recycled REOs in 2024 and beyond.
Reactor and Filter Press (left) and automatic ball valve for feeding reactor (right).
IonicRE said last month its proprietary magnet recycling technology will help the European Union’s efforts to boost magnet recycling.