Page 161 - CW E-Magazine (2-7-2024)

News from Abroad

SUPPLY AGREEMENT
Solvay to source recycled mixed rare earth oxide

from Cyclic Materials

Belgian chemicals firm, Solvay, has
inked a supply deal with Canadian metals
recycling company, Cyclic Materials. As
per the agreement, Cyclic Materials will
supply recycled mixed rare earth oxide
(rMREO) to Solvay beginning later this
year.

This agreement extends the part-
nership formed by the memorandum
of understanding signed in February
2023. Since then, the companies have
validated Cyclic Materials’ rMREO pro-
duct with Solvay’s rare earth separation
process. “This supply agreement is the
culmination of both parties’ active colla- sustainable sourcing strategy to provide ing their Hub100 plant, which contri-
boration, which confirmed the technical magnet grades of NdPr and Nd oxides to butes to securing our sustainable sourcing
and commercial viability of Cyclic Ma- our customers by early 2025. We support of rare earths.”
terials’ product with an established rare Cyclic Materials’ vision of developing
earth chemicals producer,” the compa- a circular supply chain for rare earths. “The completion of this commercial
nies said. Cyclic Materials will supply Through this partnership we are creating agreement is a significant milestone in
Solvay’s plant in La Rochelle, France a circular loop to reintegrate recycled our company’s journey. The team has
for further separation and purification MREO back into the magnet supply demonstrated our ability to scale techno-
from its new Hub100 facility in Ontario, chain,” said Ms. An Nuyttens, President logy capable of producing a high-quality
Canada. of Solvay Special Chem. “Since the start recycled product from a diverse set of
of our partnership, Cyclic Materials has end-of-life magnet products,” said
The deal aligns with Solvay’s pro- rapidly advanced their technology to en- Mr. Ahmad Ghahreman, co-founder and
active measures since the end of 2022 to able a commercial relationship between CEO of Cyclic Materials. Cyclic Mate-
establish a rare earths hub for the perma- our two companies. rials plans to establish facilities across
nent magnets value chain in La Rochelle North America, Europe and Asia to meet
aiming to enhance European self-suffi- We commend the Cyclic Materials the growing demand for domestic sources
ciency. “This agreement aligns with our team for reaching the milestone of open- of MREO in these regions.
Solenis and PhaBuilder to develop PHA materials

for paper packaging

Solenis, a US-based specialty chemi- “The global agreement between eration will help enhance the applica-
cals firm focussed on water-intensive Solenis and PhaBuilder will enable unique tion of PHA-based materials.
industries, has signed an agreement with technology to the paper packaging mar-
Beijing PhaBuilder Biotechnology Co. ket to meet the growing need for more The newly developed technology
Ltd., a synthetic biology firm, to colla- sustainable solutions in the packaging will ultimately reduce the impact on
borate on further developing key PHA- industry,” said Mr. William Kuecker, the environment, bringing a greener
based (polyhydroxyalkanoate) techno- Senior Director, Global Strategic Mar- and more sustainable future,” said
logy for the paper packaging market. keting, at Solenis. “This strategic coop- Ms. Sherry Xu, President, PhaBuilder.

Chemical Weekly July 2, 2024 161

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