Critical minerals from magnets recovered from end-of-life products to be reclaimed in Belfast.
Ionic Rare Earths has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with scrap metal company European Metal Recycling (EMR) to advance rare earth magnet recycling efforts (PDF). The agreement will see both companies collaborate on recovering magnets from end-of-life products, which will serve as feedstock for Ionic’s UK-based subsidiary’s recycling facility, that is currently being developed in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A demonstration plant at the site launched full-scale production last year (we reported).
To supply a commercial plant in the future, Ionic is continuously expanding its feedstock supply streams. In February, the company signed a similar agreement with South Korean magnet manufacturer DNA Link, extending its supply chain into Asia. To expand its existing partnerships, Ionic has also secured funding from the UK government, highlighting the importance of recycling for European supply chains.
The now-signed agreement links Ionic with a globally operating scrap company, which could open new supply streams. In addition, EMR is already engaged in several UK-government-supported rare earth recycling initiatives, underpinning its expertise, for example, through Re-RE Wind, a program focused on extracting magnets from decommissioned wind turbines (we reported).
Photo: iStock/WhiteBarbie
