Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) hosted UK Industry Minister Chris McDonald at its demonstration plant in Belfast this week. The visit underscores the strategic importance the UK Government places on the company’s rare earth magnet recycling capabilities. The site is currently being developed to support the domestic production of high-purity rare earth oxides, a sector the UK identifies as critical for its national security, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing supply chains.

The visit coincides with ongoing efforts to finalize a £12 million capital grant offered in principle by the UK Government. This funding, provided under the DRIVE35 program, is earmarked for the construction of a commercial-scale facility in Belfast with a target capacity of 400 metric tonnes per annum of magnet rare earth oxides. IonicRE is working toward a Final Investment Decision for this facility by the end of the September 2026 quarter.

The Belfast facility aims to secure a sovereign supply route for Western markets by processing spent permanent magnets. While the company advances these UK-based recycling operations, it is also progressing its primary project, Makuutu in Uganda. This large-scale asset is positioned to complement the company’s recycling activities, potentially providing a sustainable and long-term source of rare earth feedstock for its processing technology.

"The reality of the current situation is simple: our technology addresses signiNcant strategic need, and extends the runway on REEs as Nnite natural resources, while providing Western nations with their own material supply route."

— Brett Lynch, IonicRE Executive Chairman

Ionic Technologies currently operates a demonstration plant in Belfast, which has proven its ability to produce high-purity, individually separated magnet rare earth oxides. By scaling this technology, the company seeks to assist the UK in meeting its objective of producing 10% of its critical minerals needs domestically by 2035.

Read the full announcement: IXR hosts UK Government Minister to Belfast