Nth Cycle and Ionic Rare Earths team up to develop US rare earth refining

Nth Cycle, a company specialising in critical mineral refining technology, has entered into a joint development and licensing agreement with Ionic Rare Earths to advance rare earth refining operations both in the United States and internationally. The collaboration will see Nth Cycle integrate its proprietary electro-extraction technology into Ionic Rare Earths’ recycling and refining processes, with initial implementation planned at Ionic’s Belfast facility by the fourth quarter of 2026. This partnership aims to create a production route that circumvents reliance on China, which currently dominates around 90% of the global rare earth refining market. The core innovation lies in replacing the traditional precipitation step, which depends on oxalic acid, with Nth Cycle’s electro-extraction closed-loop process. This method uses electricity to convert recycled rare earth feedstocks into high-purity oxides suitable for magnet metal production, offering a more sustainable and potentially less geopolitically vulnerable alternative. The technology’s versatility extends beyond rare earths, encompassing metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper, which positions it as a critical component in diversifying and securing supply chains for essential minerals. Megan O’Connor, CEO and co-founder of Nth Cycle, emphasised the strategic importance of the technology in reducing Western dependence on Chinese chemical supply chains. She highlighted that while progress has been made in rare earth refining within the US, addressing all points of supply chain vulnerability is essential for building resilience. O’Connor also noted that the electro-extraction platform’s broad applicability accelerates the development of critical mineral supply chains vital to economic stability and national security. This agreement follows Nth Cycle’s recent $1.1 billion offtake deal with Trafigura, which covers mixed hydroxide precipitate and battery-grade lithium carbonate refined from recycled materials. Together, these partnerships underscore the growing recognition of Nth Cycle’s refining technology as a multi-application solution capable of integrating with various upstream separation processes. The collaboration with Ionic Rare Earths marks a significant step towards establishing a more independent and sustainable rare earth refining infrastructure outside of China’s dominant influence.