SPECIALIST technology company Ionic Technologies is playing a key role in helping the UK reach tight decarbonisation targets by ramping up production of magnet rare earth elements.
For the magnet recycling pioneer has just hit a major production milestone at its demonstration plant in Belfast in a move which makes it a significant UK-producer of 100 per cent recycled rare earth oxides and helps bolster the security of supply of a strategic raw material needed to power the UK’s net zero transition.
Ionic Technologies, a spin-out from Queen’s University, has developed a unique process which allows it to produce high purity rare earths, suitable for use in high performance permanent magnets.
The company, which was acquired in 2022 by Australian multinational Ionic Rare Earths Ltd, has built the capability to produce rare earth elements which can create secure and sovereign supply chains in the UK.
This is seen as significant because the mining and recycling of these elements are industries currently dominated by China.
Just nine months after receiving £1.72 million in UK government support, Ionic has surpassed expectations, growing rapidly from pilot to demonstration plant, with ambitions to scale up production and build a processing plant which will put Belfast on the map as an emerging UK clean energy hub.
General manager Thomas Kelly said: “We have produced over five kg of rare earth oxides at specification. This key production milestone confirms our capability as one of the UK’s foremost innovators in magnet recycling and a global leader in the advancement of this technology.
“Our patented process can provide a reliable UK supply chain source for rare earth elements, utilising existing end-of-life magnets and then create an opportunity for the UK to deliver these newly dubbed strategic materials to a global market.”
“Ionic Technologies is proud to be at the centre of Northern Ireland’s growing regional green industry, creating well-paid and sustainable employment for local talent.
“As we expand, our objective is to deliver a commercial scale facility, potentially creating up to a further 100 highly skilled jobs in Belfast and providing the UK with some certainty over future supply of rare earths, which are essential to deliver net zero ambitions.”
Tim Harrison, managing director at parent company Ionic Rare Earths Ltd, added: “Our Belfast-based facility is key to us harnessing our technology to accelerate our mining, refining and recycling of magnets and heavy rare earths which are critical for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing and defence.”
Rare earths are progressively attracting more public interest, being both an important critical material, vital for the UK’s roll-out of renewable energy and electric vehicles, and developing a secure, reliable supply chain has become an issue of national strategic importance.
The global context is complex, with rapid demand growth significantly outstripping supply chain capacity, and difficulties in extracting these materials. This exposes the UK to a volatile geopolitical situation with risks of possible supply shortages and spiralling prices with the potential to ultimately impact advanced manufacturing in the UK.
