- Ionic Technologies delivers boost for collaboration with
- Production demonstrates advanced capability, and capacity to meet growing global demand for HREEs, with around 2.8 kg of Tb4O7 of greater than 99.5% purity produced from early production batches;
- The production of maiden high purity Tb4O7 samples are another first in the magnet recycling industry by Ionic Technologies;
- Ionic Technologies' Demonstration Plant is expected to commence separated magnet REO production on a continuous basis before the end of the month; and
- Ionic Technologies continuing potential supply chain collaborations with rare earth metal, alloy, and magnet manufacturers and global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
The production of the maiden terbium (Tb) samples are another first in the magnet recycling industry, highlighting IonicRE's ability to develop a Western supply chain for this key magnet rare earth oxide (REO). The achievement follows IonicRE's successful magnet REO production from Demonstration Plant in 2023, and significant progress with its wind turbine magnet recycling program, as announced to the ASX on
Approximately 2.8 kg of high purity (>99.5%) Tb4O7 has been produced. IonicRE's Demonstration Plant is expected to commence separated magnet REO production on a continuous basis before the end of the month.
"This is another significant milestone for IonicRE, solidifying IonicRE as a leader in this sector as we look to build a secure and sustainable Western supply chain for the wind power and other key clean energy industries."
"The capability to produce these elements to high purity, from waste materials generated in the Rare Earth Permanent Magnet supply chain, represents a win for the industry and an opportunity to disrupt how Western markets access heavy REOs, especially dysprosium and terbium of which more than 98% of global supply originates from Chinese producers."
"Given the global demand for secure and traceable heavy REOs, at high purity, we are pleased to demonstrate our capability to separate and purify Tb and Dy with our technology. Dy and Tb remain in consistently high demand, as we are witnessing first hand from the reverse enquiry from the supply chain looking at alternative supply of these elements."
He added: "Heavy REOs are utilised for the production of the highest specification of permanent magnets, and their criticality is plain to see. Demand for Dy and Tb is already outstripping supply from traditional sources with this expected to increase significantly by the end of the decade."
"The recycling capability for these elements, in addition to the excellent progress at
A first mover in magnet recycling to high purity REOs
Ionic Technologies is a global first mover in the recycling of Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets to high purity separated magnet REOs - enabling the creation of sustainable, traceable, and sovereign rare earth supply chains.
During 2023, Ionic Technologies with strong support from the
Additionally, to expand capacity for existing partners, Ionic Technologies is expediting heavy rare earth element (HREE) separation capability to complete Dy and Tb separation utilising the mixersettler pilot plant equipment. This complex separation of HREEs provides supply chain partners with high purity (99.5% or above) heavy REOs to be used in developing grain boundary diffused (GBD) sintered NdFeB permanent magnet production.
Development work has enabled process conditions to be optimised for the production of high purity Dy and Tb oxides, to operate in parallel to the Demonstration plant. Multiple batches of iron-dysprosium-terbium (Fe-Dy-Tb) alloy manufacturing wastes (swarf), with varying composition comprising of high HREE content, has been sourced from our partners and processed. Initial batches operated through the pilot plant have been separated, with approximately 2.8 kg of high purity (>99.5%) Tb4O7 already generated.
Terbium market and importance in magnet production
Terbium, element 65, is classified as a HREE which in excess of 98% of global supply coming from
The two main rare earths used in NdFeB magnets are Nd and Pr (praseodymium), which can be either added independently or as a mixed NdPr product called didymium. With the exception of lower grade magnets, Nd usually accounts for over two-thirds of the rare earth content in NdFeB magnets.
Up to 30% of the rare earth content in NdFeB magnets can be substituted with other rare earths to meet varying specifications. The key substitutes are Dy and Tb, that allow the magnet to operate at higher temperatures, such as required for electric vehicles (EVs) and direct drive wind turbines.
The relatively low abundance of Dy, and even more so Tb, has underpinned a move to reduce the loading of these elements, however both Dy and Tb remain important in traction motor applications.
Wind turbines for example have significantly reduced the use of Dy and Tb, however market intelligence indicates that Tb is the preferred element in Chinese NdFeB producers as it provides for enhanced performance, while Japanese producers have focussed on Dy. Given a substantially lower abundance of Tb in recent times, market intelligence suggests an increased substitution of Tb with Dy.
Terbium is the highest value and most heavily sought after of the magnet rare earths. Recent pricing of magnet HREEs has seen significant reductions over the past 24 months, with Tb4O7 trading for approximately
Demonstration Plant Background
In
In
1. in partnership with LCM and
2. in partnership with the
Both projects are progressing and have formally kicked off successfully with InnovateUK.
This production of high purity Tb4O7 forms part of the work stream with LCM and
Technology Overview
Since its founding in 2015, as a spinout from Queens University Belfast (QUB), Ionic Technologies has developed processes for the separation and recovery of REEs from mining ore concentrates and waste permanent magnets.
The technology developed is a step up in efficient, non-hazardous, and economically viable processing with minimal environmental footprint.
The Company's proprietary technology provides a universal method for the recovery of high purity grade rare earth elements from lower quality and variable grade magnets, to be used in the manufacture of modern high-performance and high specification NdFeB permanent magnets required to support substantial growth in both EV and wind turbine deployment.
"The growth ahead for this clean energy industry is enormous, and we are moving as fast as we can to commercialise this technology to enable the circular economy to support it. Our technology is capable of being scaled globally to meet the enormous demand for circular economy value addition to support climate-friendly energy sources such as wind energy."
*To view tables and figures, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/V6S4DM58
About
Makuutu is an advanced-stage, ionic adsorption clay-hosted project highlighted by near-surface mineralisation, significant exploration upside, excellent metallurgical characteristics and access to tier-one infrastructure.
The ionic adsorption clay-hosted geology at Makuutu is similar to major rare earths projects in
Makuutu is well-supported by tier-one existing infrastructure which includes access to major highways, roads, power, water and a professional workforce.
Rare Earths will play a critical role in the future of clean energy. Rare Earths are a key ingredient in the permanent magnets found in wind turbines and electric vehicles.
IonicRE is led by an experienced and proven team, who have the capabilities to deliver Makuutu into production and realise value for all stakeholders.
Contact:
E: investors@ionicre.com
T: +61 (3) 9776 3434
For Investor Relations
E: peter@nwrcommunications.com.au
T: +61 (0) 412 036 231
Copyright (C) 2024 ABN Newswire. All rights reserved., source