RAREEARTHMETALS

RAREEARTHMETALSSEPARATION&RECYCLING

REMs belong to a group of 17 elements that havevery unique chemical and physical properties.These metals are critical to dozens of high-techindustries, from wind turbines and electric vehiclesto LED lighting and smartphones.

Wind turbines use rare-earth magnets(praseodymium, neodymium and dysprosium)which are stronger per unit weight and volumethan any other magnet type, meaning thesemetals can not be matched by any other elements.

Despite the name, REMs are not that rare. Did youknow? There are more REMs in the ground thancopper or lead. These elements are known as rareas they are extremely difficult to mine and separateeconomically.

What are Rare Earth Metals (REMs)?Rapidly increasing demand has recently strained supply of REMs, and there is growingconcern that the world may soon face a serious shortage of the rare earths. Comparedto the rest of the world China is dominating the supply of REMs with 85% of the market.

The overall REM market is valued at 5 billion USD and expected to continue growing.The world-wide market for extractants in the mining and metal recycling industry is huge,estimated at 3-4 billion USD. Within this market share, the currently best performingrare-earth metal extractants used in mining and recycling of REM is valued at >800million USD. It is clear that the demand for better performing, more efficient alternativeextrantants is enormous.

Global Supply and Demand

Global REM demand by value: $3.7bnGlobal production of REMs

Prices of neodymium and praseodymium oxides are up by over 80% since the start of the year, following China’s decision to impose restrictions on illegal

mining operations.

ASustainableandHighlyEfficientNewProcessforRareEarthMetalSeparationinMiningandRecycling

CURRENT TECHNOLOGY

• Reported extractants have poor selectivity and require large numberof stages i.e 100 - 150 stages

• Current processes rely on the use of diluents i.e kerosene and n-heptane - highly volatile and flammable

• Highly acidic streams

• Known problems with stability and recyclability of industrialextractants

• Costly – recycling process not economically viable

AQUEOUS ORGANIC

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RAREEARTHMETALSSEPARATION&RECYCLING

SEREN TECHNOLOGY

• High selectivity • Non-volatile and non-flammable diluents are used• Compact • Cost efficient – lower number of stages• Reduced CAPEX and OPEX • Efficient recycling process• Ready for demonstration scale