Cyclic Materials Invests $25M to Launch North America’s First Rare Earth Recycling Centre in Ontario

Cyclic Materials Announces $25 Million Investment for Rare Earth Recycling Centre

Cyclic Materials, a Toronto-based recycling company, is investing $25 million to establish a Centre of Excellence for rare earth recycling in Kingston, Ontario. The 140,000-square-foot facility will combine industrial processing with research and development (R&D). This aims to address one of the world’s most critical supply chain challenges: the sourcing of rare earth elements (REEs) for permanent magnets.

The new centre will be North America’s first of its kind. It’s poised to play a crucial role in ensuring the resilience of rare earth supply chains. Cyclic Materials aims to leverage this facility to enhance the production of recycled rare earth oxides (rMREO). These are essential for electric vehicle (EV) motors, wind turbines, and consumer electronics.

A Strategic Move Toward Circular Innovation

The Kingston Centre of Excellence will serve as Cyclic’s commercial hub, utilizing the company’s proprietary REEPure technology to process 500 metric tons of magnet-rich feedstock annually. The primary product, recycled mixed rare earth oxide (rMREO), will be used in manufacturing permanent magnets. These are in high demand in clean energy technologies.

The facility will also feature an R&D center to accelerate the development and optimization of next-generation technologies for the rare earth value chain. Additionally, the centre will house a mini-spoke line to scale innovations. It will also improve the efficiency of the recycling process. Feedstock will be sourced from Cyclic’s Arizona-based “spoke,” which processes end-of-life products. Furthermore, the company’s expanding network of partners supplies magnet production scrap.

Key Partnerships and Job Creation

In 2024, Cyclic Materials signed an offtake agreement with Solvay, a global leader in material technologies. This ensures a secondary resource of rare earth elements for the magnet production chain. The Centre of Excellence will support this partnership by providing Solvay with a steady supply of recycled rare earth materials.

Cyclic’s investment in Kingston will also create 45 skilled jobs, further boosting the local economy. The company already has 20 hires on board and is in the process of recruiting plant operators, process technicians, and innovation staff. This initiative aligns with Cyclic’s commitment to circular innovation and the energy transition.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

Cyclic Materials’ $25 million investment in the Kingston Centre of Excellence marks a significant milestone in the global push for rare earth recycling. By positioning itself as a leader in circular economy solutions, Cyclic is addressing key challenges. These are in the supply of critical minerals for clean energy technologies. With strong backing from Canadian innovation programs and strategic partnerships with major industry players like Solvay, Cyclic is on track to play a pivotal role in strengthening the rare earth supply chain in North America. This development underscores the growing importance of recycling in the future of green technologies and the energy transition.