Aeramine secures APC Mobilise Grant to advance sustainable high-purity copper recycling
Aeramine, a UK-based deep-tech firm specialising in sustainable transition metals, has received funding approval via Mobilise as part of the UK Government’s £4 billion DRIVE35 programme, delivered by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK.
This marks a key milestone towards Aeramine’s goal of transforming the recycling of critical materials for AI, semiconductors, and electrification. The Mobilise grant supports innovative, zero-emission, and connected mobility companies. Aeramine uses a modern vacuum pyrometallurgical process to upcycle scrap copper into pure ingots and powders, thereby aiding decarbonisation and strengthening the UK’s mineral supply chain.
Aeramine’s business model emphasises capital efficiency and high margins through direct sales of modular refining units, process licensing, and royalties on software and automation. Its technology has been validated through early-stage funding, prior Innovate UK grants, and partnerships with the UK’s Manufacturing Technology Centre. Testing with major manufacturers is ongoing. The company expects initial revenue from pilots and technical services in 2026–27.
Aeramine’s leadership comprises cofounders Alex Lapis, Raymond Lam, and George Seplyarsky, along with project manager Ajay Lad. They bring more than 60 years’ experience in metallurgy, automation, and manufacturing and have invested heavily in the company.
Aeramine plans a trade sale or IPO in six to eight years, offering investors high returns and EIS tax benefits.
Alex Lapis, managing director and co-founder of Aeramine, said that securing approval for the APC Mobilise grant is a significant recognition of their technology and the team’s dedication to sustainable innovation: “This support will help accelerate production scale-up, forge new partnerships, and supply the high-purity materials vital to the UK’s shift towards a zero-emission future.” He added that he was proud to contribute to the UK’s leadership in critical minerals recycling and advanced manufacturing”
Ajay Lad, Aeramine’s project management director, commented:
“Joining the Mobilise programme is a significant step forward, providing support and funding to accelerate our technology development and testing. The grant helps us refine our ideas, collaborate with industry partners, and accelerate product commercialisation. By launching products earlier, we can have a greater impact on the electric vehicle sector and help build a sustainable transport future.”
Ian Constance, chief executive at the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK said:
“The projects announced today demonstrate the depth of innovation and engineering excellence that exists across the UK automotive sector. Through DRIVE35, we are supporting businesses to move promising technologies to commercial deployment and manufacturing at scale.
He added:
This investment is about far more than individual projects. It is about strengthening the UK’s capability to design, develop and build the technologies that will define the vehicles of the future. By bringing together industry, government and academia, DRIVE35 is helping to create the conditions for long-term growth, increasing investor confidence and reinforcing the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for automotive innovation.”
The Mobilise grant, part of a government drive until 2035 to support the UK’s automotive and manufacturing industries, highlights Aeramine’s leadership in sustainable technology and its commitment to the UK’s industrial and environmental goals.
For more information about Aeramine and its upcoming funding round, please visit their website
Aeramine Investor & media contact: Rob Palmer on +44 7768 242761 at rob@prospediacapital.com.
About Aeramine: Founded in 2021 and based in Bedford, within the Oxford-Cambridge super-technology cluster, Aeramine is a leader in sustainable, high-purity copper production using vacuum pyrometallurgy. Backed by Innovate UK and early investors, it is advancing from R&D to pilot-scale and commercial production, offering a circular platform for copper, transition metals, and rare earth elements that supports future industries crucial to the UK economy.
About Mobilise: Mobilise is an early-stage accelerator delivered by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST), the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), and Innovate UK. It supports ambitious micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, or university spin-outs developing innovative automotive technologies, including zero-emission vehicles and connected and automated mobility (CAM).
About DRIVE35: Delivered by the DBIST, the APC, and Innovate UK, the DRIVE35 programme is part of the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, which is committed to a zero-emission future. An unprecedented £4 billion in grant funding will be available by 2035 for automotive R&D, scale-up, and transformation.
About CAM Pathfinder: CAM Pathfinder is part of the UK Government’s £150 million CAM Pathfinder programme, delivered by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade in partnership with Zenzic and Innovate UK.
Government Grant Funding Statement: “Grant funding is provided by the UK Government.” All UK Government grant funding is subject to HMG approval.
