Zinc of Ireland (ASX:ZMI) has taken a leap into the sustainable metals sector, announcing the 100% acquisition of Netherlands-based Meclex.
The move, secured via a binding share purchase agreement, provides ZMI with two proprietary hydrometallurgical technologies, ARGO and VOLTA, positioned to disrupt traditional smelting and recycling frameworks.
The acquisition signals a pivot towards high-value, low-emission metal recovery at a time when global industrial pressures demand greener alternatives to energy-intensive pyrometallurgical processes.
The ARGO technology is engineered to extract zinc, lead, silver, and critical minerals—specifically gallium, germanium, and indium—from zinc leach residue.
By targeting these residues, ARGO promises higher recovery rates and a substantial reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to legacy methods.
Meclex already holds a cooperation agreement for ARGO with Nyrstar, a global leader in mineral production, validating the technology's commercial viability.
Simultaneously, the VOLTA technology targets the battery circular economy. It offers a low-energy, low-temperature alternative for lead-acid battery recycling, aiming to eliminate toxic gas emissions and significantly reduce waste.
VOLTA is currently backed by a development agreement with FIB, a subsidiary of SERI Industrial, providing ZMI with a low-cost pathway to commercialisation in the European market.
At the time of reporting, Zinc of Ireland’s share price was $0.019.