Iondrive confirms DES technology viability in large-scale trials

Proactive - Interviews for investors

Iondrive Ltd (ASX: ION) CEO Ebbe Dommisse joins Jonathan Jackson in the Proactive studio to discuss the successful completion of large-scale bench trials at the University of Adelaide, marking a significant milestone for its deep-eutectic solvent (DES) battery recycling technology. These trials confirmed the robustness and economic potential of the technology, with positive results indicating high metal recoveries and minimal solvent losses. The trials involved scaling up from 120mg to 120g of black mass, a powdered mixture containing critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese. Iondrive's DES process uses benign, biodegradable organic solvents in a non-toxic, closed-loop system, avoiding the environmental issues of traditional methods like pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes. Independent Metallurgical Operations (IMO) in Perth verified the high recovery rates and minimal solvent losses, crucial for the process's economic viability. Dommisse highlighted the significance of these results, emphasising the process's scalability and efficiency. Trial results provide a foundation for ongoing optimisation, feeding into engineering and economic studies as part of a pre-feasibility study (PFS). The PFS aims to de-risk the technical and commercial aspects of the process, with completion expected by October 2024. Successful PFS completion will pave the way for industry collaboration and pilot plant progression in FY2025. Ongoing optimisation trials at the University of Adelaide focus on refining the DES process, enhancing its efficiency and confirming minimal solvent losses. These trials will support upcoming engineering studies, including conceptual design and cost analysis, economic benchmarking, and value engineering to improve solvent recovery efficiency. #ProactiveInvestors #Iondrive #ASX #BatteryRecycling #DEStechnology #UniversityofAdelaide #EcoFriendly #SustainableTech #CriticalMinerals #LithiumIonBatteries #Scalability #EconomicViability #HighMetalRecovery #MinimalSolventLosses #GreenTech #Innovation #PilotPlant #RecyclingTechnology #PreFeasibilityStudy #EnvironmentalImpact #TechOptimisation #IndustryCollaboration #invest #investing #investment #investor #stockmarket #stocks #stock #stockmarketnews