Tenova to lead engineering work for UK rare earth magnet recycling facility
Italian technology company Tenova Advanced Technologies (TAT) has been selected as the engineering partner to carry out the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies for Ionic Rare Earths' (IonicRE) commercial rare earth magnet recycling facility under development in Belfast, UK.
Following the completion of the Class 5 Engineering Bridging Study for the project in early 2026, Tenova is now working alongside Ionic Technologies on the FEED phase in preparation for the final investment decision (FID). FEED activities commenced in June 2026 and are intended to pave the way for the detailed engineering and construction phases.
Tenova's expertise to shape the project
Ionic Rare Earths selected Tenova for its engineering expertise in solvent extraction and rare earth element processing. The FEED scope includes process definitions, basic design criteria, process flow diagrams, equipment lists and technical specifications, as well as engineering work related to control philosophy and energy requirements.
The planning process for the recycling facility to be built in Belfast is also progressing. Following the planning application submitted to Belfast City Council in April, the public consultation process, held in May, was completed on June 12, 2026, without any objections. The company aims to submit its full planning application in the third quarter of 2026.
GBP 12 million UK government support
The project has been awarded in-principle investment support of GBP 12 million from the UK government, while Ionic Rare Earths plans to make its final investment decision by the end of the September quarter.
Tim Harrison, Managing Director of Ionic Rare Earths, stated that the partnership with Tenova will support the company's commercialisation ambitions not only in the United Kingdom but also across the United States, Brazil, Europe, Asia and the Gulf region. Harrison added that, upon completion of the FEED studies this year, procurement of long lead-time equipment is expected to begin, with construction of the facility targeted to start in 2027.
The Belfast facility, with an annual production capacity of 400 tonnes of rare earth oxides (REO), will support the UK's critical minerals strategy and enable the recovery of high-purity rare earth oxides from end-of-life permanent magnets.
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