Confirms date of agreed MoU in paragraph 4
Chilean rhenium processor Molymet and Canadian rhenium recycler Maritime House plan to partner on recycling rhenium-bearing materials to process into ammonium perrhenate (APR) and rhenium metal.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding on an envisioned 50:50 joint-venture (JV) that would initially utilize either parties' existing facilities in Chile or Canada, and subsequently evaluate the commercial viability of establishing a new rhenium processing facility in North America, Molymet said. The move would aim to meet growing demand from the aerospace industry. Development of a new plant would be contingent on sourced feeds exceeding current processing capacities. Rhenium-bearing materials include nickel-based superalloy scrap and binary alloy scrap.
The JV plans to sell finished rhenium products including APR, pellets and powder. The JV will also work with original equipment manufacturers to offer comprehensive recycling and primary supply solutions.
The memorandum of understanding was agreed on 12 November 2025, and disclosed to Argus on 27 January.
Molymet is the world's largest primary rhenium producer with a nameplate capacity of 40 metric tonnes (t)/yr in Chile, while Maritime House is the world's largest recycler of rhenium-containing materials — with a processing facility in Napanee, Ontario, Canada.
Rhenium prices are currently at their highest in over a decade, as persistent metal demand from the western aerospace sector and Chinese import demand on APR has underpinned the market. Argus last assessed 99.9pc rhenium pellets at $1,835-1,995/lb dp Rotterdam on Tuesday.
The metal is not replaceable in several nickel base alloys essential to manufacture turbine blades in aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines.
