From the Previous post 1. This event marks the formal close-out...

From the Previous post











1. This event marks the formal close-out of the Innovate UK CLIMATES-funded feasibility study for Ionic Technologies’ rare earth recovery and recycling process. It brought together a wide range of stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to review the project’s findings and strategic implications for the UK’s critical minerals supply chain.

2. The feasibility project, delivered with engineering/commercial support from WSP and supply chain/life-cycle analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS), evaluated the scale-up of Ionic’s patented rare earth recycling process to meet UK and European market demand.The study included technical, economic, and environmental assessments for the planned Belfast commercial plant (target: 400 tpa high-purity REOs by 2027).

3. Martyn Cherrington summarized the project’s implications for the UK’s critical minerals supply chain resilience, Evi Petavratzi shared comprehensive rare earth demand data and mapping, vital for market analysis and government planning.

4. Project outcomes, The WSP-led study confirmed the technical and commercial viability of scaling Ionic’s process, supporting the business case for the Belfast commercial plant and future expansion. BGS’s work provided critical data on UK/EU rare earth demand, end-of-life magnet flows, and potential for circular supply chains. The project directly informs the UK Critical Minerals Strategy 2025 and Industrial Strategy 2035, strengthening the case for government funding (e.g., ATF grant).

5. Ionic's Technology-The patented ionic liquid-based process can recycle end-of-life magnets, swarf, and even mining concentrates into ≥99.5% purity REOs (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb), supporting automotive, wind, and defense sectors.

6. Strategic Partnerships - The feasibility and CLIMATES projects are part of a network of collaborations with Ford, LCM, VAC, BGS, and others, all aiming to build a closed-loop, sovereign UK/EU supply chain for rare earths.

7. Government Engagement-This event is a culmination of ongoing engagement with UK, APPG and NI governments, Innovate UK, and the APC-key to securing the pending £85M ATF grant for the commercial plant.

8. FUNDING - The success of this feasibility study and the strong government/industry turnout reinforce Ionic’s position as a flagship project for the UK’s net-zero and critical minerals ambitions.



attendees were able to observe Ionic's demonstration plant inaction-an important confidence-building step for potential investors and government backers

Ionic Technologies’ transition from demonstration to commercial scale, validated by robust technical, commercial, and policy support. The strong stakeholder presence and positive project outcomes significantly enhance Ionic’s prospects for government funding and future expansion, positioning the company at the heart of the UK’s critical minerals and industrial strategies for 2025 and beyond.

IMHO I believe we are very close.