Aeramine wins UK DRIVE35 grant for high-purity copper recycling

What's the deal? AeramineDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a UK deep-tech firm working on sustainable transition metals, has secured a grant via Mobilise, part of the UK Government's £4 billion DRIVE35Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → programme. The award is delivered by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UKDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and Innovate UKDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.

What it means. Aeramine uses a vacuum pyrometallurgical process to upcycle scrap copper into pure ingots and powders. The grant is intended to accelerate production scale-up and product commercialisation, supporting high-purity materials for AI, semiconductors and electrification while strengthening the UK's mineral supply chain.

Founded in 2021 and based in Bedford, Aeramine earns through direct sales of modular refining units, process licensing, and royalties on software and automation. Its technology has been validated by prior Innovate UK grants and a partnership with the UK's Manufacturing Technology CentreDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with testing under way with major manufacturers.

The signal: The UK's DRIVE35 programme is directing grant funding towards critical-minerals recycling and advanced manufacturing as the country works to strengthen domestic supply chains for electric vehicles and other industries.

Image credit: Nicholas Lucien

Read more: UK Business Angels Association