Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 11, Australia’s Ionic Rare Earths (IonicRE) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Missouri-based US Strategic Metals (USSM) to develop a vertically integrated rare earth magnet recycling facility in the United States. The MoU was formalized during a ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Washington.

Ionic Rare Earths and US Strategic Metals signing ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Back row, representatives from the Australian and US government, and front row, left to right, Michael Holloman (USSM Chief Commercial Officer), Brett Lynch (IonicRE executive chairman), Stacy W. Hastie (USSM founder and CEO) and James Durrant (RareX MD).

Under the agreement, the two companies will deploy Ionic Technologies’ patented rare earth permanent magnet recycling process at USSM’s fully permitted 728-hectare site in Missouri. The facility will initially focus on recovering magnet rare earth oxides (REOs) including neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium, and samarium, which are critical for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defence applications. Production is expected to support US efforts to diversify rare earth supply chains outside China by 2027.

The partnership also plans to expand into recycling additional heavy rare earths and mixed rare earth carbonates, while exploring new sites across the United States.

IonicRE Managing Director Tim Harrison said: “Magnet recycling is the fastest and lowest-cost pathway to developing an ex-China rare earth supply chain in the United States. IonicRE is leading this charge in this area, and we now look to replicate the capability we have demonstrated in the UK now in the USA to provide a key strategic supply of magnet and heavy rare earths into the USA supply chain.”

Harrison added: “Now is the time to accelerate this technology, which we are capable of building globally to offer a resilient supply of high-purity, separated REOs, delivered on a sustainable basis thanks to our proven low-emission technology.”

USSM, which operates a multi-metallic processing and refining platform in Missouri, will integrate the recycling technology into its existing infrastructure to enhance downstream critical mineral production. USSM founder and CEO Stacy Hastie said: “US Strategic Metals’ processing and refining capabilities in Missouri are designed to meet America’s demand while collaborating with partners dedicated to responsible, secure, and sustainable sourcing. Working with IonicRE, we intend to accelerate technological progress and financial collaborations that will shape the future framework of domestic critical mineral supply chains.”

IonicRE executive chairperson Brett Lynch, who signed the MoU on behalf of the company, noted that the partnership directly supports the new US–Australia Critical Minerals Framework, signed in October by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He said: “There’s no bigger market than the United States and we are delighted to partner with USSM in delivering rare earth permanent magnet supply in Missouri, with potential for multiple recycling plants across the United States as part of our global expansion.”

The collaboration aims to secure a resilient, high-quality supply of rare earths while promoting sustainable and low-emission production. By combining IonicRE’s recycling technology with USSM’s processing capabilities, the project is expected to strengthen the domestic critical minerals industry and support the US in developing an independent and reliable rare earth supply chain.