10084269MineMT software tool to strengthen the UK REE magnet supply chain by enhancing and ensuring strong sustainability credentialsClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe net-zero transition is accelerating demand for Permanent-Magnet-Synchronous-Motors (PMSMs), which make electric drivetrains for EVs/wind-turbines/water-pumps highly-efficient. Yet, their downside is considerable Rare-Earth-Element (REEs) use in manufacture. REEs and PMSMs are at high-risk of supply disruption against a rising geopolitical tension backdrop; 90% of PMSMs are produced in China. The UK imports nearly 100%, with supply critical to underpin thriving low-carbon economies and demand rising 8-12% yearly \[Mining.com,2022\]. Driving new supply-chains to the UK is difficult as China supplies REEs/PMSMs ~30% cheaper globally \[Schroders,2023\]. Thus, differentiation on 'sustainability' and 'environmental' credentials is key, as this is an area UK companies and UK-bilateral partners could outperform global competitors and diversify supply. But producers can only reduce impacts if overall supply-chain performance can be quantified, however, no industry-specific tools enabling this exist. Whilst Life-Cycle-Sustainability-Assessment (LCSA) provides a comprehensive approach to quantify environmental, social and economic impacts of each supply-chain stage (mine-to-motor), lack of data and standardised methodologies impact accuracy and applicability. **Minviro**, a UK SME (and spin-out from the world-class Camborne School of Mines), are pioneering world-leading LCA tools for the mineral value-chain to quantify and radically improve their environmental credentials. They have developed a portfolio of ground-breaking LCA-powered industry-targeted software products, including MineLCA and MineBIT (plus circularity add-on MineLOOP), supporting mines/processing facilities/refineries/downstream battery manufacturers to drive-down environmental impacts and comply with increasingly stringent legislation for EU/US trading. This project aims to build a similar software, 'MineMT, for the REE/PMSM value-chain (mine-to-motor). If successful, this will support: * **Developers/investors** to scrutinise new infrastructure projects (e.g. REE recycling plants/refineries) to reduce REE criticality. 1/3rd of UK domestic REE demand could be addressed by 2035 by recycling waste \[GreenAlliance,2018\]. MineMT de-risks new investments, by ensuring plants produce environmentally/socially competitive outputs enabling downstream trading with large partners (EU/US). * **UK Government** to deliver the UK-Critical-Materials-Strategy, accelerating international collaborations and driving sustainable (geographically diverse) supply to UK markets. * **Existing mines/refineries/factories** to build sustainable, circular, low-impact outputs and supply-chains. A tool of this complexity relies on highly-accurate data, thus MineMT will be built/trialed in consortium with: * **Mkango**, UK arm of an international REE mining operator; * **Grundfos**, a water pump manufacturer; * **University of Exeter including Camborne School of Mines**, mineralogy, circular economy and LCSA experts. Building on Minviro/Exeter's extensive global work on REE-mining/PMSM/downstream-sector, the consortium will create a tool enabling industry, _for the first time_, to conduct impact quantification on complex REE supply-chains to optimise flows through UK/global economies.