Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) has advised that continuous production of high purity, recycled magnet rare earth oxides (REOs) has commenced at scale on the demonstration plant at Ionic Technologies International Ltd’s Belfast facility in the UK.
Ionic Technologies is a global first mover in the recycling of Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets to high purity separated magnet rare earth oxides (REOs) – enabling the creation of sustainable, traceable, and sovereign rare earth supply chains.
Managing director, Mr Tim Harrison, commented, “The commercialization of our recycling technology is moving rapidly, and the board of IonicRE is pleased to announce that demonstration scale production of NdPr oxides have commenced. It is an important milestone, which exhibits our readiness to supply recycled magnet REOs into the market.”
The first production from continuous demonstration plant activity has produced approximately 11.5kg of NdPr oxide grading greater than 99.8% NdPr oxide (total REO content of 99.99%). The production of NdPr oxide at demonstration scale follows previous successful production of maiden Nd2O3 grading 99.7%, and Dy2O3 grading 99.8%, and Tb4O7 grading > 99.5%.
The initial production supports the collaboration with partners Less Common Metals and Ford Technologies. Ionic Technologies will supply REOs to LCM, who will produce alloys for magnet production to be developed in Europe, with the sintered magnets to be supplied to Ford Technologies in Halewood, UK, to produce electric motors for evaluation, demonstrating a UK magnet rare earth supply chain as part of a UK Government sponsored CLIMATES initiative.
Ionic Technologies is now entering late-stage negotiations in relation to strategically significant production campaigns, with a view to progressing towards commercial agreements to roll the technology out to western end users.
To find out more, please visit www.ionicre.com
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