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ReElement, POSCO forge rare earth alliance

Metal Tech News - November 22, 2024

Commercial partnership to close the loop on a circular North American rare earth magnet supply chain.

ReElement Technologies Corp., a leading rare earth and critical battery element recycler, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with POSCO International, a global leader in steel production and advanced materials. This powerhouse team-up promises to supercharge the North American landscape of clean energy infrastructure, national security, and commercial manufacturing with a truly circular supply of some of the world's most critical elements.

"We have been collaborating closely with the POSCO team for several months and are excited about the opportunity to address rare earth element supply and sustainability challenges together," said Mark Jensen, CEO of ReElement Technologies. "POSCO's extensive expertise and network in the permanent magnet industry and electrified economy enable us to drive efficiencies and implement impactful solutions where they are most needed. This partnership also highlights ReElement's ability to catalyze and build a robust and sustainable supply chain."

This collaboration will integrate ReElement's proprietary recycling and rare earth ore refining processes with POSCO's global magnet manufacturing network.

"Additionally, we are confident that the unique strengths of our platform technology will enhance our capacity to source quality feedstock from around the world to support our current and emerging manufacturing base. Offering POSCO's North American and European OEM customers a diversified supply chain for rare earth magnets is key to reducing volatility and costs in electric transition," said Jensen.

The MOU allows ReElement to secure a position as the primary North American refiner, supplying POSCO with both heavy and light rare earth elements to fulfill nearly $900 million in upcoming OEM contracts. Under this agreement, ReElement will reintroduce waste magnets and manufacturing scrap into POSCO's production process in a circular supply chain solution for high-purity magnets and critical battery elements to existing and future clients.

ReElement's multi-feedstock technology focuses on recycling material from rare earth permanent magnets and lithium-ion batteries, refining concentrated ores and brines, as well as coal-based waste streams and byproducts to create a cost-effective, scalable, and green alternative to legacy processes which are both environmentally and socially harmful. It also reduces capital expenditure and operating costs compared to traditional processes.

As the partnership works to scale up production, it will play a key role in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of critical raw materials while also fostering an environmentally safer, truly circular rare earth product lifecycle with a competitive advantage in an ESG-conscious market.

ReElement is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Resources Corp., a next-generation supplier of high-quality raw materials to the new infrastructure market.

With its foundation in steel manufacturing, POSCO continues to expand operations to include eco-friendly materials and cutting-edge technologies that drive the electric vehicle and renewable energy industries into a greener future that shareholders and stakeholders alike can get behind.

 

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