Interview with Tim Harrison, Managing Director of Ionic Rare Earths

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/ionic-rare-earths-asxixr-pioneering-sustainable-magnet-recycling-in-the-uk-with-govt-backing-6414

Recording date: 21st July 2025

Ionic Rare Earths (ASX:IXR) presents a compelling investment opportunity in the strategically critical rare earth elements sector, positioned to capitalize on the fundamental transformation of global supply chains away from Chinese dominance. The company's unique combination of proprietary recycling technology, government backing, and geographic diversification strategy addresses urgent Western supply chain security needs while targeting the most constrained segments of the rare earth market.

Following China's April 2025 export restrictions on seven medium and heavy rare earth elements, Ionic has experienced substantial increased inquiry for its dysprosium and terbium production capabilities. The company's Belfast recycling facilities produce separated oxides with consistent quality, differentiating it from competitors who typically produce mixed concentrates. This technology enables magnet manufacturers to achieve specific performance characteristics required for defense applications, electric vehicles, and wind turbine systems.

The recent US Department of Defense investment establishing floor pricing for neodymium-praseodymium at $110 per kilogram by MP Materials—representing approximately 100% premiums—demonstrates the strategic priority and improved economics for alternative suppliers. Apple's subsequent supply agreement with MP Materials further validates customer willingness to pay premiums for supply chain security, creating opportunities for complementary suppliers like Ionic.

Ionic's proprietary intellectual property for magnet recycling produces separated oxides, enabling precise control over rare earth compositions. The Belfast facility serves as a scalable template for rapid global deployment, reducing development risks and capital requirements for expansion. Managing Director Tim Harrison emphasized: "On recycling, we'll be able to rapidly deploy recycling in Brazil. So what we do in Brazil will be a natural beneficiary of all of the work, all the school fees that have been paid in Belfast."

The company's focus on heavy rare earths—dysprosium and terbium—addresses the most strategically valuable and constrained market segment. Unlike mining operations requiring extensive permitting, recycling facilities benefit from streamlined approvals and access to urban waste streams, enabling faster deployment timelines.

Ionic operates across multiple jurisdictions, reducing single-country risk while accessing different funding sources. The company has secured £11 million from the UK government's supply chain initiative and is progressing toward additional grant funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre for the Belfast commercial facility, estimated at £85 million total project cost.

The Viridion joint venture in Brazil with Viridis Mining and Minerals combines upstream resources with Ionic's downstream processing capabilities. The partnership is pursuing substantial funding through Brazil's BNDES and FINEP programs, with announcements expected near-term. The company has already demonstrated operational capability by recycling Brazilian-sourced magnets and delivering separated oxides to local supply chain partners.

US market expansion represents the largest opportunity, driven by defense spending priorities and reshoring initiatives. The company has been actively engaging Washington DC stakeholders and potential partners throughout 2025.

The convergence of geopolitical tensions, supply shortages, and government backing creates unprecedented conditions for value creation in rare earth processing. Ionic's NATO-aligned supply chain positioning enables access to defense contracts with stable, long-term pricing. The strategic importance of rare earths has unlocked government funding mechanisms, reducing traditional project finance risks while customer urgency creates opportunities for advance payment structures and premium pricing.

Ionic Rare Earths represents exposure to the structural transformation from cost-optimization to security-prioritization in strategic materials procurement, positioning investors to benefit from the emerging Western rare earth ecosystem.

View Ionic Rare Earths' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/ionic-rare-earths-ltd

Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com