Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) is rapidly assembling a secure and sustainable Western supply chain for the renewable energy industry. The company is in line to become the next ASX-listed magnet rare earth oxides (REOs) producer, and the first major producer of recycled separated magnet REO in the Western world, following the completion of process commissioning at Ionic Technologies’ Belfast, Northern Ireland magnet recycling plant.
A wholly owned subsidiary, Ionic Technologies is a global first mover in the recycling of NeodymiumIron-Boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets to high purity separated magnet REOs – enabling the creation of sustainable, traceable, and sovereign rare earth supply chains.
“This is a major step forward in the development of an ex-China supply chain, with IonicRE offering the potential to become the first and only REO recycler from wind turbine magnets in the Western world,” said executive chairman, Mr. Brett Lynch. “The size of the prize is significant, given the tremendous rate of growth in the wind turbine market, particularly given our proximity to the UK and Northern Ireland wind farms market with the port of Belfast on our doorstep. With over 3,000 wind turbines located across the island of Ireland, the opportunity is compelling.”
Ionic Technologies has now commenced operations processing of end of life (EOL) permanent magnets from a decommissioned wind turbine generator. To date, five tonnes of permanent magnets from the seven tonnes magnet, have been processed to intermediate REE products.
Process commissioning of both digestion and oxalation stages has been finalized, and these circuits have been used to produce batches of mixed REO products.
Notably, the variability in the REE composition in end-of-life permanent magnets can result in significant variability in the products produced by other recycling technologies. IonicRE’s offering can accommodate this variability, plus other feed stream such as swarf from rare earth metals, alloy, and magnet manufacturing, enabling consistent high purity REO products of recycled origin, another unique selling point for the technology.
IonicRE is also working with several potential partners to evaluate alternative feed streams to satisfying demand for production campaigns.
In addition, the company has been engaging with European wind farm operators and OEMs to help position the company and the technology at the forefront of the emerging recycling opportunity across both permanent magnets sourced from decommissioned and repowering streams. As the European wind turbine fleet ages, supported by government incentives, the amount of repowering is expected to increase increasing access to more magnets beyond the decommissioning profile.
Mr. Lynch added, “It’s clear that the commercial potential for magnet recycling is developing rapidly, and IonicRE is at the forefront of realizing this opportunity through its sustainable, traceable, innovative technology.”
To find out more, please visit www.ionicre.com
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