Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) has named Nitin Tyagi as a new non-executive director of the company with effect from 1 July 2023.
Mr Tyagi is currently VP of supply chain at Our Next Energy (ONE), a battery company based in Novi, Michigan.
“Mr Tyagi joins the board as we have begun production of high purity, recycled magnet rare earth oxides at our Demonstration Plant at Ionic Technologies Belfast facility in the UK and as we make progress on our Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths Project in Uganda,” Tim Harrison, Managing Director at Ionic, said.
“The commercialization of our recycling technology and our focus on the delivery of the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths Project positions us to provide a secure, sustainable, and traceable supply of magnet REOs.
“Ionic is accelerating its mining, refining, and recycling to align with global policy priorities and Mr Tyagi has first-hand experience of off-taker objectives and demand growth in the EU, North Asia, and the US.
“Mr Tyagi is pivotal to us monetizing our technology for our mining, refining and recycling of magnets and heavy rare earths which are critical for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defence,” Mr Harrison said.
He said Mr Tyagi would be working to optimize supply chain engagement, specifically focusing on relationships in the United States and European Union, with an initial key area being the electric vehicle market.
Prior to ONE, Mr Tyagi was the Director of Battery Supply Chain at Rivian Automotive managing all nodes of the battery supply chain from mines to battery packs to recycling.
He scaled-up and ramped four electric vehicle programs (R1T, R1S, EDV NCA, EDV LFP) from pre- production to launch. He drove the iron-phosphate chemistry adoption on Amazon Electric Delivery Vans resulting in significant cost savings.
Previously, Mr Tyagi was part of Apple’s operations and supply chain team and helped launch over 20 Apple products, including every iPhone from iPhone 6 to iPhone 12.
Before Apple, Mr Tyagi was in various engineering roles at Cree and Sun Catalytix (acquired by Lockheed Martin in 2014).
Mr Tyagi is the co-inventor of 12 US patents and holds a MS in material science from University of Rochester and a Bachelor of Technology in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.
He is also currently pursuing his executive MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and serves as an advisor to Ather Energy in India.
The company also announced that Trevor Benson has advised the Board that due to personal reasons he has tendered his resignation from the Board to be effective as of 30 June 2023.
“The Board and I personally, wish to thank Mr. Benson for his contribution, advice and experience during his time since his appointment in August 2020,” Mr Harrison said.
“During Mr Benson’s tenure, the company has made significant advances including the completion the definitive feasibility study and award of environmental permits for the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths deposit and the acquisition of Ionic Technologies International Limited.
“Mr Benson’s experience and contribution towards the assessment of corporate issues has been greatly appreciated,” Mr Harrison said.
