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Highlights
- IonicRE to launch multiple US-based magnet recycling facilities
- Targets rare earth supply chain independence amid China exit push
- Belfast tech hub delivers 99.9% REO purity for global demand
Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR) is advancing a strategic initiative to develop multiple magnet recycling plants across the United States, aiming to support near-term demand for rare earth oxides (REOs) while strengthening US domestic supply chains. This move comes amid increasing urgency to phase out Chinese-origin critical minerals in defence and industrial applications.
The proposed facilities will leverage cutting-edge separation and refining technology pioneered by Ionic Technologies, the fully owned UK subsidiary of IonicRE. The system is designed to process both end-of-life magnets and production swarf, producing high-purity REOs vital for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and next-generation defence systems. Test samples from the company's Belfast demonstration plant, which consistently achieves over 99.9% REO purity, have been sent to prospective US collaborators for evaluation.
As part of this expansion, IonicRE is in talks with multiple US private and governmental stakeholders. The goal is to fast-track the deployment of its recycling technology as an interim measure before larger-scale mining and refining infrastructure comes online — a process that typically requires substantial capital and time. The initiative resonates strongly with the broader US push for supply chain independence, reinforced by recent legislative mandates.
A key driver of this urgency is the US Department of Defense’s mandate to eliminate Chinese-origin REEs from all defence systems by January 1, 2027. The two-phased ban begins with a halt on delivery of magnets produced in China and will later extend to the full supply chain — from mining to manufacturing.
In parallel, IonicRE is evaluating the establishment of a rare earth refinery through its 50:50 Viridion joint venture with Viridis Mining and Minerals Ltd (ASX:VMM). This complements the company’s broader global footprint, which includes initiatives in the UK, Europe, Brazil, and South Korea.
These developments come at a time when the rare earth sector is seeing increased investor attention, particularly within the context of the ASX200 index. Though IonicRE is not yet a constituent of the ASX200, its rapid international scale-up and commitment to supply resilience may capture future interest.
Ionic Technologies, originally a spinout from Queen’s University Belfast in 2015, continues to enhance its innovative magnet recycling process. The technology's non-hazardous, scalable, and environmentally sustainable nature positions IonicRE as a critical enabler of a circular economy for rare earths — one that could play a vital role in reshaping global supply chains for the electric and defence industries.
