Date: March 28, 2024

Location: Thon Hotel EU, Brussels, Belgium

Event Overview

Join us in Brussels for an enlightening one-day conference that showcases the forefront of innovations in the rare earths and permanent magnet sectors. This pivotal event is a collaborative effort between REIA and the REEsilience Project, designed to unite industry leaders, research institutions, and policymakers. Together, we will explore groundbreaking advancements and strategies to foster sustainability, enhance supply chain resilience, and propel technological progress in the rare earth industry.

Attending sister projects: REEPRODUCE, Inspires & FutuRaM.

Conference Highlights

  • Keynote Speeches: Gain insights from leading voices, including exploring the European Critical Raw Materials Act and its implications for the future.
  • Innovative Talks: Learn about the latest research and developments in magnet recycling, magnetic alloys and composites, and high-temperature applications.
  • Panel Discussions: Engage with experts debating the achievements of European innovation projects and their impact on meeting Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act targets, as well as the potential effects of technology and trade restrictions on the rare-earth supply chain.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers during coffee breaks and a lunch session, fostering collaborations and partnerships.
 

Programme agenda

8.00-8.45

Conference Registration

9.00-9.10

Welcome speech ‘REIA – A Global Platform for a Sustainable World’ by Dr. Badrinath Veluri, REIA President

9.10-9.30

Inauguration and keynote ‘European Critical Raw Materials Act: What to be expected?’ Constanze Veeh, DG Grow, European Commission

9.30-9.50

‘A Sustainable and Resilient European Supply Chain for Permanent Magnets’, Prof. Carlo Burkhardt, Pforzheim University & REEsilience Project Coordinator 

9.50-09.55

Q&A

09.55-10.15

‘REESOURCE: Unlocking the Supply of REE in Europe through Responsible, Sustainable and Decarbonized Innovative Technologies’, Tore Malo Ødegård, Rare Earths Norway AS

10.15-10.20

 Q&A 

10.20-10.50

Coffee break 

10.50-11.40

Panel Session: European Innovation Projects: What has been achieved and will it contribute to meet the CRM Act targets?   

Moderator: Peter Tom Jones, KU Leuven  

Carlo Burkhardt, Pforzheim University / REEsilience; 

Spomenka Kobe, The Jožef Stefan Institute / INSPIRES;  

Nader Akil, PNO / REEPRODUCE; 

Daniel Monfort Climent, BRGM / FutuRaM;  

Véronique Peres, Orano SA / Magellan. 

11.40-12.10

‘Sustainable and Innovative Processing of REE Magnets from Recycled EOL Magnets’, Spomenka Kobe, Jožef Stefan Institute  

12.15-12.35

‘Metallurgical Recycling and Molten Salt Electrolysis’, Alexandros Charitos, TU Freiberg 

12.35- 12.40

Q&A 

12.40-13.30

Lunch Break 

13.30-13.50

‘Hydrometallurgical Processing of Rare Earth’, David Bengio, Carester  

13.50-13.55

Q&A 

13.55-14.15

‘Automated Extraction of RE Magnets’, Jakob Blomgren, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB 

14.15-14.20

Q&A 

14.20-14.40

‘SUPREEMO: A New Initiative for a Sustainable European Rare-Earth-Elements Production Value Chain from Primary Ores’, Nader Akil, PNO Brussels 

14.40-14.45

Q&A 

14.45-15.10

Fireside chat: Brief intro to XRF, Benefits and Challenges vs. ICP, Overview of Common (and Less Common) Use Cases in the World of REEs, Adrian Fiege, Bruker BioSpin Group, and Erick Petit, MagREEsource   

15.10-15.40

Coffee Break 

15.40-16.00

‘FutuRaM: Developing the Knowledge Base on the Availability and Recoverability of SRMs and CRMs’, Daniel Monfort Climent, BRGM

16.00-16.05

Q&A 

16.10-17.00

Panel Session: Technology and Trade restrictions: Will It Hinder the Development of a Sustainable and Diversified Rare-Earth Supply Chain?   

Moderator: Gareth Hatch, REIA 

William Dawes, Mkango Resources Ltd; 

David O’Brock, REETec AS;  

Lama Itani, Solvay S.A.;

Bernd Grieb, ppm materials GmbH.

17.00-17.05

Vote of thanks, Nabeel Mancheri, REIA  

 

We invite all rare-earth sector stakeholders to attend this vital conference. Whether you’re involved in research and development, policy-making, or industry practices, your participation will contribute to a broader understanding and advancement of sustainable and resilient practices in rare-earth and magnet applications.

 

Join us at the REIA – REEsilience Conference to shape the future of the rare-earth industry together.

 

For registration and more information, please visit REIA’s website.