Aclara Assets Inc. (“Aclara” or “Firm”) (TSX:ARA) is happy to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VACUUMSCHMELZE GmbH & Co. KG (“VAC”), which establishes a non-binding, non-exclusive, preliminary settlement, to collectively method potential shoppers as a “mine-to-magnets” answer for ESG compliant everlasting magnets (the “Preliminary Settlement”).
Aclara and VAC consider that there’s a important market alternative pushed by the rising demand for electrical automobiles (“EVs”), wind generators, and different clear applied sciences that require uncommon earth everlasting magnets produced pursuant to ever-increasing ESG requirements. Such everlasting magnets require important portions of each mild and heavy uncommon earth minerals. Presently, acquiring these uncommon earth mineral supplies while additionally having the capability to course of them, mixed with the commercial know-how wanted to manufacture everlasting magnets, could be very restricted and concentrated amongst just a few Asia-based suppliers. This provide/demand dynamics ends in a promising background to develop a brand new, resilient, ESG-focused provide for everlasting magnets.
The strategic alliance between VAC and Aclara is exclusive as a result of Aclara being one of many only a few potential suppliers of Dysprosium and Terbium, two extremely coveted heavy uncommon earth minerals that are key within the manufacturing of everlasting magnets and will not be simply out there outdoors of Asia. Aclara is at present growing two ionic clay tasks, one in Chile and one other in Brazil, for the manufacturing of a high-purity heavy uncommon earth carbonate. As well as, the Firm is growing processing know-how by way of its US-based subsidiary to have the ability to obtain this carbonate and produce with it magnetic alloys. These alloys, in flip, are the important thing enter required by VAC to provide everlasting magnets.
VAC is taken into account the biggest producer of uncommon earths magnets outdoors of Asia, with greater than 40 years of expertise in magnet making know-how. VAC, whose predominant everlasting magnet facility is situated in Hanau, Germany, not too long ago executed a contract with Normal Motors (GM) to provide GM with everlasting magnets by constructing a brand new magnets’ plant within the State of South Carolina, United States.
Accordingly, every of Aclara and VAC are strategically positioned to collaborate to construct a dependable long-term answer to provide high-performance everlasting magnets to energy EV motors and different applied sciences for our world shoppers.
Settlement Construction and Subsequent Steps
The collaborative relationship between Aclara and VAC isn’t structured as a authorized entity. As a substitute, every of the events will have interaction in collaborative efforts, in a relationship characterised as (i) most popular supplier-purchaser and (ii) cooperation on advertising and marketing, buyer relations, and associated issues. Highlights of plenty of the collaborative subsequent steps embody however will not be restricted to:
- VAC’s intention to assist the additional growth of Aclara’s uncommon earth metals and alloys current three way partnership challenge with CAP S.A., by offering product specification necessities to provide the high-performance everlasting magnets utilized in EVs;
- the intention of each events to collectively analyze the mine to magnets value construction to develop an optimum cost-effective answer for potential prospects; and
- the intention of each events to collectively method potential new prospects and current them with a ‘one-stop-shop’ answer to safe geopolitically unbiased and ESG accountable everlasting magnets.
VAC’s CEO, Erik Eschen, commented:
“We’re thrilled to announce the fortification of our partnership with Aclara, a frontrunner within the growth of ionic clay mines in South America. This collaboration is geared toward streamlining the provision chain for uncommon earth parts, particularly Dysprosium and Terbium. These parts play a pivotal function within the decarbonisation of the transportation sector and the era of renewable power. By becoming a member of forces with Aclara, VAC is dedicated to tackling one of the urgent problems with our period. Our joint efforts not solely create worth for our prospects and shareholders but in addition contribute considerably to the well-being of our planet.”
Aclara’s CEO, Ramon Barua, commented:
“This strategic alliance is predicted to supply nice synergies to each Aclara and VAC because it combines a clear supply of heavy uncommon earths with the know-how wanted to transform these sources into precise merchandise. It is step one in the direction of fixing an actual want available in the market, because the transition to electrical automobiles requires new uncommon earths provide chains, that are at present not being addressed in a complete method. This strategic alliance will create worth for VAC, Aclara, OEMs and for our planet, as we will likely be nearer to attaining our local weather change objectives in a sustainable method.”
About VAC
VACUUMSCHMELZE (VAC) is a number one world producer of superior magnetic options, uncommon earth everlasting magnets, and inductive elements. With intensive software know-how and 100 years of expertise in materials science and product growth, VAC designs and manufactures mission essential options for all kinds of industries, together with renewable power, e-mobility, automotive, industrial automation, medical, aerospace and protection. VAC’s distinctive means to develop and manufacture from base parts by way of ultimate merchandise permits us to supply prospects optimum type elements and efficiency, producing finest in school environment friendly options in an environmentally acutely aware method. Extra data is accessible at www.vacuumschmelze.com. VAC is a portfolio firm of Ara Companions, a worldwide personal fairness agency that’s decarbonizing the commercial economic system.
About Acara
Aclara Assets Inc. (TSX: ARA) is a development-stage firm that’s targeted on heavy uncommon earth mineral sources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. The Firm’s uncommon earth mineral useful resource growth tasks embody the Penco Module within the Bio-Bio Area of Chile and the Carina Module within the State of Goiás, Brazil.
Aclara’s uncommon earth extraction course of presents a number of environmentally engaging options. Round mineral harvesting doesn’t contain blasting, crushing, or milling, and subsequently doesn’t generate tailings and eliminates the necessity for a tailing’s storage facility. The extraction course of developed by Aclara minimizes water consumption by way of excessive ranges of water recirculation made potential by the inclusion of a water therapy facility inside its patented course of design. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a standard fertilizer predominant reagent, ammonium sulfate. Along with the event of the Penco Module and the Carina Module, the Firm will proceed to establish and consider alternatives to extend future manufacturing of heavy uncommon earths by way of greenfield exploration packages and the event of further tasks throughout the Firm’s present concessions in Brazil, Chile, and Peru.
Ahead-Trying Statements
This information launch comprises “forward-looking data” throughout the which means of relevant securities laws, which displays the Firm’s present expectations relating to future occasions, together with statements with regard to, amongst different issues, the Firm’s expectations together with statements with regard to, amongst different issues, the Firm’s strategic investments and partnerships, the present and future valuation of the Firm, the financial impact of the Preliminary Settlement, the success of its and its subsidiary’s growth tasks and the Firm’s expectations as to the partnership and the transactions contemplated thereby. Ahead-looking data is predicated on plenty of assumptions and is topic to plenty of dangers and uncertainties, lots of that are past the Firm’s management. Such dangers and uncertainties embody, however will not be restricted to, the elements mentioned beneath “Threat Components” within the Firm’s annual data type dated as of March 22, 2024 filed on the Firm’s SEDAR+ profile. Precise outcomes, timing, efficiency, achievements or future occasions or developments might differ materially from these expressed or implied herein. Until in any other case famous or the context in any other case signifies, the forward-looking data contained on this information launch is offered as of the date of this information launch and the Firm doesn’t undertake any obligation to replace such forward-looking data, whether or not on account of new data, future occasions or in any other case, besides as expressly required beneath relevant securities legal guidelines.
For additional data, please contact:
Ramon Barua
Chief Government Officer
investorrelations@aclara-re.com
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