Nanomox has advanced its OIS® technology from laboratory proof of concept to pilot‑scale validation, demonstrating a cleaner, low‑carbon route for rare earth recovery and creating new global partnerships that position the UK at the forefront of circular critical‑materials innovation.
Through the CLIMATES programme, Innovate UK has supported Nanomox to explore a new market opportunity and diversify their chemical processes to develop scalable, circular approaches to rare earth element (REE) recovery. This is helping the UK to strengthen domestic capability and reduce dependence on global supply chains.
Nanomox secured funding from CLIMATES for multiple projects helping them carry out a proof of concept through to an innovative pilot project in partnership with Mkango Rare Earths UK. Their core innovation is the Oxidative Ionothermal Synthesis (OIS®) technology, initially developed to extract zinc oxide from waste and now being applied to multiple metals including improving the recovery of rare earth oxides from REE containing feedstocks. This is the first time OIS® has been tested outside the laboratory – a significant step toward industrial-scale recycling. The technology offers a more environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient alternative to conventional hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processes, while also strengthening the UK’s capability in circular REE processing.
De-risking innovation
Innovate UK funding has been critical in helping Nanomox move from the laboratory scale to full system-level validation.
For ‘REEMAG – Closing the loop on REEs for MAGnets’, the funding from Innovate UK directly supported a proof of concept feasibility study to develop the OIS® platform for a new market; recovering rare earths from waste streams, manufacture REE-based nanomaterials, validate the quality of recovered material for magnet production, and build a business and regulatory case for scaling up.
The funding for ‘OIS® as a Sustainable Alternative to Hydrometallurgical Processes’ project meant that Nanomox and Mkango could advance OIS® toward pilot-scale integration as a low-carbon, economic alternative for long-loop permanent magnet recycling.
“Innovate UK funding allowed us to scale OIS® beyond the lab, validating performance, process scalability, and environmental impact – critical for industrial adoption and downstream investment decisions,” said Frank Roche, Head of R&D at Nanomox
Building UK capability
These projects have strengthened the UK’s domestic REE supply chain while advancing net zero priorities. As Frank Roche explains: “Innovate UK funding enabled our work aimed at a critical UK and global challenge: building resilient, lower-carbon supply chains for REEs, which are vital to wind turbines, EVs, electronics, and other clean technologies.”
They have produced high-value outputs from recycled materials and provided the economic and environmental evidence needed to benchmark against incumbent hydro-/pyrometallurgical routes, where energy use, harsh chemicals, and waste remain major issues.
Going global
Building on its CLIMATES funding, Nanomox has also participated in several CLIMATES initiated international activities through the Innovate UK Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP), which supports SMEs to collaborate internationally and explore global markets to accelerate business growth. Nanomox identified several potential scale-up partners in Canada to support the commercialisation of its technology.
“The GBIPs were really helpful,” says Frank. “Finding global partners is particularly critical. We are dealing with waste streams and transporting them internationally is incredibly difficult – it could undermine the sustainability of our process.”
Nanomox also identified a series of waste stream producers where the technology can be applied. “We successfully secured a UK-Canada CR&D grant (MAGSIN) from Innovate UK,” explains Frank. “This validated our technology for magnesium recovery from waste and opened up a further new commercial opportunity for our technology. It was also instrumental in identifying potential sources of funding in Canada for future scale up activities.”
Looking ahead
Both projects are now complete and successfully delivered on all planned milestones. Nanomox is now preparing to move beyond feasibility to larger-scale demonstrations and pilot integration. The feasibility outcomes will also help to secure follow-on investment and industrial deployment. The company is also expanding partnerships with recyclers, feedstock suppliers, and magnet manufacturers to ensure uptake of its sustainable products.
“The support from Innovate UK has been pivotal,” says Francisco Malaret, CEO and founder. “It allowed us to validate our technology, build confidence with investors and partners, and demonstrate a viable route to sustainable, circular REE supply chains in the UK.”
Following completion of the projects, Nanomox raised a £2.4 million seed round from investors in the UK, US, Canada, and Europe. The company will use the proceeds of the funding round to build a commercial pilot plant and R&D facility in the UK. The plant – Catalyst 1 – will enable Nanomox to dramatically scale production of its first commercial materials while continuing to develop its platform technology for the recovery of REEs and metals from waste and mineral ores.
Find out how the CLIMATES programme can support you in your innovation journey.