INFRACORP WATER

REE’S& CRM’S

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Raw Minerals (CRMs) are vital for clean energy (EVs, wind turbines), electronics, and defense, with recovery focusing on diverse sources like coal byproducts (ash, brine), mine tailings, and industrial wastes. These elements, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, and the 17 REEs .

Mining is complex; recovery from secondary sources offers sustainable, economically viable solutions. Infracorp Technology’s proprietary solvent extraction method represents a next-generation approach to the separation of rare earth elements (REEs) and critical raw materials (CRMs). Building on conventional solvent extraction, Infracorp’s process is engineered for higher selectivity, improved phase efficiency, and reduced chemical and energy intensity. The method is designed for seamless integration with upstream extraction and downstream refining, enabling ultra-high purity outputs while minimizing waste and emissions


What They Are

  • Critical Minerals (CMs): Materials of strategic importance, often used in green tech (Li, Ni, Co, Graphite for batteries) or defense.
  • Rare Earth Elements (REEs): A group of 17 elements (15 lanthanides + Sc & Y) with unique magnetic/optical properties, used in magnets, lasers, electronics.
  • Relationship: REEs are a subset of critical minerals. 

Why Recovery is Key

  • Energy Transition: Essential for batteries, EVs, wind turbines, solar panels.
  • Supply Security: Reduces dependence on limited global sources, often concentrated in a few countries.
  • Circular Economy: Turns waste into valuable resources, minimizing environmental impact. 

Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)

What they are: A broader, policy-driven list of materials deemed economically important and at high risk of supply disruption. The list is dynamic and varies by country/region (EU, USA, Japan, etc.).

Scope: CRMs include Rare Earth Elements, but also many other materials. For example, the Critical Raw Materials  lists  has 34 materials, including:

  • Battery Materials: Lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel.
  • Metals for Electronics/Alloys: Titanium, magnesium, gallium, germanium, tantalum.
  • Platinum Group Metals (PGMs): Iridium, platinum, palladium (for catalysts, fuel cells).
  • Phosphorus (for fertilizers).
  • Silicon metal (for semiconductors, solar panels).
  • Rare Earth Elements (as a group).

Why Are They So Strategic?

  1. Green Energy Transition: EVs, wind turbines, and solar panels are massively intensive in CRMs.
    • EV Motor: Requires REE magnets (Nd, Pr, Dy).
    • EV Battery: Requires lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite.
    • Wind Turbine: Requires REE magnets for direct-drive generators.
  2. Defense & Aerospace: Advanced jet engines, satellites, guidance systems, and communication equipment rely on REEs, titanium, and gallium.
  3. Digital Economy: Semiconductors (gallium, germanium), displays (REEs), and telecommunications infrastructure.
  4. Geopolitical Vulnerability: The supply chains are often geographically concentrated.


Refining rare earth elements (REEs) and critical raw materials (CRMs) demands advanced, high-precision technologies. Infracorp Technology delivers integrated refining solutions that combine process innovation, digital optimization, and sustainable design to achieve ultra-high purity materials with a lowerenvironmental footprint. Our technologies strengthen secure supply chains and enable leadership in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and defense-critical industries