Ionic Rare Earths (IonicRE) has signed a joint development and licensing agreement with Nth Cycle to enhance the refining of rare earth elements (REEs) in the US and globally.
The collaboration leverages Nth Cycle’s electro-extraction technology to optimise IonicRE’s recycling and refining operations, providing a Western-centric production pathway.
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Under this agreement, Nth Cycle will supply its technology to replace the conventional use of oxalic acid in refining processes.
The electro-extraction approach uses electricity to convert recycled feedstocks into high-purity oxides, regenerating hydrochloric acid for continuous reuse.
This shift aims to reduce costs, minimise supply dependencies and lower the carbon footprint, positioning the joint process as a competitive refining alternative.
At present, China refines 90% of the world’s rare earth materials, creating a significant dependency on oxalic acid.
The partnership between IonicRE and Nth Cycle aims to mitigate this reliance, supporting a more resilient supply chain for Western refineries.
This initiative aligns with IonicRE’s recent memorandum of understanding with US Strategic Metals in Missouri, US, to develop vertically integrated rare earths production from recycling at the latter’s site.
The planned facility intends to produce key REEs such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and other strategic heavy rare earths affected by Chinese export restrictions.
The companies are also considering additional recycling opportunities in the US to expand domestic production.
Moreover, the partnership supports the US-Australia Framework for securing critical minerals, established in October 2025 by US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
This agreement promotes collaboration in mining and processing critical minerals for defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.
IonicRE managing director and CEO Tim Harrison said: “IonicRE is excited to form this partnership with Nth Cycle, one that leverages exciting technology from electro-extraction for integration into IonicRE’s patented long-loop recycling technology, with the potential to significantly reduce both our opex and carbon footprint.
“This can also translate directly to our refining process for primary mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) separation and refining to high purity REOs [rare earth oxides].”
