IXR (ASX) General Chat / Discussion

Originally posted by roblun: ↑

As discussed yesterday on this thread, multiple locations, The company's multiple plant strategy leverages proven Belfast technology while addressing urgent US national security requirements for domestic rare earth capabilities. With strong regulatory tailwinds, proven technology, and established partnerships, IXR is well-positioned to become a significant player in the emerging US rare earth ecosystem.

However, execution risks remain substantial given the complex technical, regulatory, and geopolitical landscape surrounding rare earth supply chains, mainly the US lacks critical downstream infrastructure for rare earth value chains, No operational commercial-scale separation facilities outside China, Limited metal-making capabilities for rare earth elements, Virtually no domestic magnet manufacturing capacity but coming soon 2026/27, Absence of standardized rare earth products, These gaps force IXR to either develop integrated facilities (increasing capital intensity) or establish complex partnerships, creating operational dependencies that could delay production timelines.

IXR's approach involves two complementary strategies: multiple magnet recycling plants leveraging Ionic Technologies' patented intellectual property, and expansion of the Viridion Joint Venture to potentially develop a US-based rare earth refinery. This dual approach addresses both secondary (recycled) and primary rare earth sources for the US market
IXR is progressing discussions with several US-based parties regarding the establishment of multiple potential magnet recycling plants across various states in the United States. This represents a significant evolution from the company's current Belfast, UK demonstration plant operations, which became "the first producer of recycled separated magnet rare earth oxides in the Western world.

This analysis integrates the ASX release with all relevant context from this thread, including IXRʼs technology, partnerships, US policy drivers, and the broader rare earths market landscape.

IXRʼs June 23, 2025 ASX release marks a decisive step in building a resilient, ex-China rare earth supply chain for the US and allied markets. The companyʼs proven technology, global partnerships, and dual-track US strategy (recycling and refining) directly address urgent US defence and industrial needs. While execution risks remain, IXR is now positioned as a first mover.

The multiple US plant strategy leverages proven Belfast technology while addressing urgent US national security requirements for domestic rare earth capabilities. With strong regulatory tailwinds and established partnerships, and a clear timeline aligning with the 2027 defence compliance deadline, IXR is strategically positioned to become a significant player in the Western rare earth ecosystem.

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Another thing that caught me eye in today's announcement was this

IXR's announcement regarding the expansion of their recycling technology beyond NdFeB magnets to include the seven rare earth elements restricted by China's April 2025 export controls, this analysis examines the specific magnet feedstock sources and equipment applications that would enable IXR to process samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium. These types of REs are used in high-end Applications, for example Defence, Military Application, Medical Application and Aerospace.

IXRʼs recycling technology is being positioned to process rare earths not just from consumer and industrial sources, but also from redundant US military equipment and old medical devices that contain the rare earth elements now restricted by Chinaʼs 2025 export controls—like samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium. WoW!

IXR's Multifunctional Amide Ionic Liquids (MAIL) technology provides significant advantages for processing diverse rare earth feedstock. The technology has demonstrated capability for near complete extraction of REOs from lower quality spent magnets and waste, to a recovery of high value magnet REO product quality exceeding 99.9%.

IXR's expansion beyond NdFeB recycling positions the company to address critical supply chain gaps across multiple rare earth elements . The diverse applications of samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium in defence, aerospace, medical, and industrial equipment create substantial feedstock opportunities for recycling operations. The company's proven MAIL technology platform provides the technical foundation necessary to process these varied rare earth sources while meeting the stringent purity requirements demanded by US defence and industrial applications.

The diverse applications of samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium in defence, aerospace, medical, and industrial equipment create substantial feedstock (High-end Magnet Applications) opportunities for recycling operations.