Aeramine, a UK-based advanced technology startup specialising in producing ultra-high-purity copper, showcased the use of its vacuum refinement process at the MT29 Magnet Technology Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
“We were well received, and with the US tariffs for copper potentially rising to 50%, we are exploring the possibility of establishing facilities to refine copper in the US,” stated Alex Lapis, Aeramine’s co-founder and Managing Director.
Aeramine recently completed a £1 million project, funded by Innovate UK, wherein the company transformed waste copper into high-purity copper powder for high-value applications. Through refining, atomisation, and Additive Manufacturing processes, the company aims to establish sustainable, locally based supply chains for copper and other high-purity metals increasingly recognised as critical materials by many countries.
With low oxygen and impurity levels, ultra-high purity copper is designed for demanding applications. Although not magnetic itself, copper’s excellent electrical conductivity makes it vital for superconducting and resistive magnets, offering stability, efficient heat dissipation, and enabling the creation of powerful magnetic fields. In superconducting magnets, copper acts as a stabiliser, providing a current pathway if the superconductor fails and aiding heat dissipation. For resistive magnets, copper wire is the primary material used to produce magnetic fields. Although copper is not directly utilised in permanent magnets, it remains significant in specific manufacturing processes and other magnetic applications.
“Our manufacturing approach minimises environmental impact, improves material efficiency, and offers cost-effective ultra-high-purity solutions for industries such as electronics, aerospace, and automotive,” added Lapis.
Based in the UK’s Oxford-Cambridge super-technology corridor, Aeramine benefits from a UK government-backed initiative aimed at fostering economic growth and innovation in the region. This initiative seeks to establish a world-leading science and technology hub, attracting talent and investment while encouraging collaboration among businesses, investors, and the ARC Universities’ cluster of nine universities.
The company finalised an initial £700,000 pre-seed funding round with angel investors, is preparing for its next fundraising.
