Canada-based NEO Performance Materials has commissioned a small-scale heavy rare earth element (HREE) production line at its Silmet facility in Estonia.
The solvent extraction line is operating at nameplate capacity and the company is now focusing on delivering stable product purity before transitioning to routine production capacity.
The facility has produced its first separated terbium and dysprosium process solutions, which are precursor products for metal making, from mixed rare earth carbonate feedstock. The processing was completed entirely in Europe. This validates the technical robustness and operational reliability of the Silmet solvent extraction line under continuous operating conditions, a step towards establishing advanced heavy rare earth separation capability in Europe, NEO noted.
Dysprosium and terbium are essential inputs for high-performance sintered rare earth permanent magnets used in robotics, EV traction motors, wind turbines and industrial automation applications.
Developing separation capability at Silmet is part of NEO’s strategy to develop a secure, Europe-based supply chain to support its growing magnet manufacturing operations and supply chain diversification.
NEO’s permanent magnet facility in Estonia is advancing through customer qualification and is expected to ramp up commercial production later this year.
“The successful launch of our heavy rare earth separation in Estonia represents a critical step in NEO’s strategy to build the most vertically integrated rare earth magnetics value chain in Europe,” said Rahim Suleman, President and CEO of NEO.
“Our rare earth value chain now spans both light and heavy rare earth processing, enabling the separation and finishing of select elements into value-added, engineered end-use applications. This achievement enables NEO to provide secure, traceable, and high-quality heavy rare earth materials to our European permanent magnet facility, supporting our customers’ most demanding applications,” Suleman added.
Source: NEO Performance Materials
