BPH Global Secures 12-Month Deal to Analyze Key Rare Earth Metals

Strategic Partnership to Unlock Rare Earth Elements from Seaweed

BPH Global Ltd (ASX, BP8), a leader in commercial seaweed research and export, has taken a significant step forward in its quest to recover critical minerals by entering a 12-month Master Services Agreement with Singapore-based Marchwood Laboratory Services (MLS). This partnership aims to leverage MLS’s state-of-the-art analytical capabilities to precisely measure rare earth elements (REEs), precious metals, and critical minerals in seaweed samples.

The agreement focuses on four rare earth elements of high industrial importance; Lanthanum, Terbium, Yttrium, and Neodymium; each essential to technologies underpinning the global energy transition, from electric vehicles to renewable energy infrastructure. By harnessing seaweed’s natural bio-accumulation properties, BPH Global hopes to develop scalable, environmentally responsible methods for mineral recovery.

Building on Proven Research and Advanced Technology

Previous research by BPH identified the seaweed species Sesuvium portulacastrum as a hyperaccumulator of key metals, setting the foundation for this new phase of research. The collaboration with MLS, accredited under ISO 17025 and equipped with cutting-edge Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technology, represents a technical upgrade from earlier partnerships, enabling more precise and reliable elemental analysis.

Under the agreement, MLS will analyze monthly seaweed samples provided by BPH’s Singapore subsidiary, Stemcell United Pte Ltd, delivering detailed batch reports within a week. This rigorous analytical framework will help validate the proof of concept and guide BPH’s ongoing development of bio-based mineral recovery solutions.

Addressing Critical Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Rare earth elements are indispensable in manufacturing high-performance magnets, catalysts, and electronic components critical to clean energy and defense technologies. However, global supply chains remain concentrated in a few countries, exposing industries to geopolitical risks and supply disruptions. BPH Global’s research aligns with a broader strategic imperative to diversify and secure sustainable sources of these vital minerals.

Chairman Paul Stephenson highlighted the importance of this agreement, noting that the partnership with MLS and oversight by R&D consultant Gaia Mariculture Pte Ltd will deepen the company’s understanding of REE concentrations in seaweed. The insights gained are expected to inform environmentally responsible extraction methods that could have far-reaching implications for resource recovery in vulnerable regions.

Looking Ahead

While the financial terms of the agreement are structured on a per-sample basis, with clear confidentiality and intellectual property provisions, the market awaits the results of these assays to assess the commercial viability of this innovative approach. BPH Global’s initiative sits at the intersection of blue economy innovation and critical mineral supply security, positioning the company as a potential pioneer in sustainable resource recovery.