Rare Earth Processing: Innovation landscape report
This report explores UK technologies and innovation opportunities for more sustainable, efficient and scalable rare earth processing.
Produced by: Innovate UK
Overview
The Circular Critical Materials Supply Chain (CLIMATES) programme worked on a series of groundbreaking innovation landscape reports, aimed at securing and innovating across the rare earth elements (REEs) value chain.
This report examines the UK’s current and emerging technologies for processing rare earth elements (REEs). It highlights the maturity and applicability of various technologies, and identifies innovation opportunities to improve sustainability, efficiency, and scalability in REE processing.
Key findings
This report explores the following key innovation needs and opportunities for more sustainable, efficient and scalable rare earth processing:
- AI, Digital and Process Control technologies for solvent extraction.
- New, more environmentally friendly and domestically produced solvents for solvent extraction.
- Scale-up and commercialisation of emerging and novel techniques for processing of appropriate primary and secondary REE feedstocks, for maximum efficiency, sustainability and quality.
- Developing the synergies of processing technologies to facilitate innovative processing systems and supply chains in the UK.
More details about this publication
Context
This Innovation Landscape Report on Rare Earth Processing forms part of a series of reports into the UK Rare Earth Elements (REEs) Value Chain, commissioned by Innovate UK as part of the Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains (CLIMATES) Programme which was established to develop and support critical materials supply chains within the UK, beginning with REEs.
There are six publications in this series – an executive summary and five innovation landscape reports. Each report identifies UK capabilities, global comparisons, and innovation opportunities.
Purpose
The reports highlight the strategic importance of REEs to the UK economy, emphasising their role in clean energy and digital technologies. Innovation is seen as key factor in the UK to building resilience and reducing dependency on monopolised global sources.
This report documents the range of alternative technologies available to concentrate and separate REEs, from both primary and secondary sources. It covers both primary and secondary sources because of the overlap in applicability of the technologies and the potential for cross-sector development (i.e. between the mining and recycling industries).
What’s included
- Executive summary
- REE processing technology areas
- Solvent extraction
- Ionic liquids/Deep eutectic solvents/Ionometallurgy
- Plasma separation
- Chromatography
- Membrane and molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) separation
- Ligand-induced selective flocculation
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Bioleaching and biorecovery
- Phytomining
Related reports in this series
- Rare Earth Value Chain: Executive summary
- Rare Earth Circular Economy: Innovation landscape report
- Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Manufacturing: Innovation landscape report
- Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Alternatives: Innovation landscape report
- Rare Earth Exploration, Extraction, Beneficiation and Concentration: Innovation landscape report
Related programmes
Critical Materials Supply Chain Innovation Network
Connect with partners and access funding, collaboration and commercial opportunities that strengthen the UK’s critical materials supply chains.
Circular Critical Materials Supply Chains
The CLIMATES programme supports the development of resilient, UK-based supply chains for rare earth elements. It aims to strengthen collaboration across sectors and build robust, circular supply chains ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical materials.