Ionic Technologies International Limited is a 100% owned subsidiary of Ionic Rare Earths. Ionic Technologies has developed rare earth element (REE) separation and refining technology and applied this to the recovery and separation of individual rare earths from spent permanent magnets. The patented technology, developed at Queens University Belfast (QUB), offers first mover capability for individual magnet rare earth recycling – separating 99.9% plus magnet rare earth oxides (REO) to enable the energy transition, electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, and defence.

In September 2022, the UK Government’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) awarded Ionic Technologies a grant of £1.7 million (approximately A$2.9 million) to develop a demonstration scale magnet recycling plant. The APC is a non-profit organisation that facilitates funding to UK based research and development projects developing low-carbon emission powertrain technologies.

Ionic Technologies demonstration plant is now in operation, located in Belfast, UK, where it is also establishing a technical centre to continue to develop the intellectual property for the development of both magnet recycling and heavy rare earth separation and refining for our own standalone refinery.

The scale up of the technology remains on track following recent positive activities where appreciable amounts of high purity magnet REOs were produced which is seen as a key step for the Company in commercialising the technology with potential strategic partners.