Florida Polytechnic University and South Korean technology company Two-N Co., Ltd. joined forces on Thursday, Oct. 29, to launch research in critical mineral recovery from phosphate mining byproducts. The collaboration establishes a multi-year framework for technical exchange, joint research and testing using advanced membrane distillation technology.
The partnership brings together Two-N’s technology and the specialized expertise of the University’s Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research (FIPR) Institute to explore new ways to recover valuable minerals from phosphate mining wastewater. These minerals include rare-earth elements like lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and dysprosium, which are essential for producing technology such as smartphones, electric vehicles and renewable energy.
The joint research will evaluate Two-N’s advanced water treatment system’s use of water-repellent membranes and lower-temperature heat to separate clean water from highly acidic and saline industrial waste streams, leaving behind concentrated minerals that can potentially be recovered. Because the technology runs at normal air pressure, it could offer a more cost-effective approach to reclaiming these hard-to-find elements.
“This collaboration with Two-N reinforces the University’s commitment to advancing research excellence on a global scale,” said Dr. Brad Thiessen, Florida Poly’s provost. “By combining our specialized research in critical mineral recovery with leading-edge water-processing technology, the University is positioned to lead critical advancements in environmental engineering and resource sustainability that directly benefit Florida and the nation.”
Under the new partnership, Two-N will provide industrial membrane distillation testing units and technical support for installation and system startup, while FIPR will provide the facilities for testing and research. The agreement marks the first time the company’s specialized technology will be integrated directly into Florida’s phosphate processing operations.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Florida Polytechnic University and the FIPR Institute to demonstrate our membrane distillation technology,” said Jaehun Kim, CEO of Two-N Co., Ltd. “Florida’s unique phosphate mining infrastructure represents about one-fourth of the world’s phosphate supply, offering an ideal environment to validate Two-N’s capability to efficiently recover vital critical minerals.”
Following Thursday’s signing ceremony, Florida Poly leaders and Two-N representatives toured the BARC Environmental Engineering Laboratory on campus. Company executives also visited the FIPR Institute facilities in Bartow, Florida, for a laboratory tour and technical meetings with research staff to discuss the project’s next steps.
“Our institute has a long history of advancing rare-earth element extraction using phosphate mining byproducts as feedstocks,” said Aaron Medley, executive director of the FIPR Institute. “Partnering with Two-N allows us to evaluate a system that operates efficiently under challenging industrial conditions, potentially unlocking significant mineral sources in the state.”
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Lydia Guzmán
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