Go ahead for rare-earth oxide facility in Northern Ireland

The magnet recycling plant in Belfast, UK, is on track for construction following a successful feasibility study.

The study shows strong potential for profitable recycling of pre-consumer rare-earth magnet scrap and end-of-life magnets.

Ionic Technologies, a subsidary of Ionic Rare Earths Limited (IonicRE), found a capital payback of 2.4 years, based on 1,200t per annum (tpa) throughput with a production capacity of 400tpa over 20 years of operation.

IonicRE is progressing site permitting and plans to complete construction of the manufacturing plant in late 2026, delivering magnet rare-earth oxides from early 2027.

IonicRE MD Tim Harrison says, 'The study confirms that the commercial case for magnet recycling is compelling, complementing the clear environmental and sustainability benefits, as well as the imminent need for rare-earth elements production outside of China.

'Financially, this represents a low-capital risk pathway to sovereign magnet rare-earth oxide production compared to alternative sources, offering strong financial returns based on a circular economy model of sustainable production, backed by the UK Government and our project partners.'

The plant on a brownfield site in Belfast Harbour would be a 40-fold increase from the 10tpa demonstration plant.

The construction process is modular, with the plant having two 200tpa production lines, to allow scale-up flexibility and parallel separation activity.