PROVO, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ionic Mineral Technologies (“Ionic MT”), a leading innovator in silicon-based battery materials, today announced the appointment of Dr. Ismail Yildirim as its Head of Production. Dr. Yildirim, who brings over 25 years of experience in industrial mineral processing and hydrometallurgical engineering, will be leading scaling up Ionisil™, Ionic MT’s halloysite-derived nano-silicon anode materials—while also commercializing their high-purity alumina (“boehmite”) that’s critical to next-generation battery applications and beyond.
“Bringing Dr. Yildirim on board is pivotal to our vision of ramping Ionisil™ to meet surging global demand for advanced lithium-ion battery materials,” said Andre Zeitoun, CEO of Ionic Mineral Technologies. “His record of delivering multimillion-dollar efficiencies, along with his deep expertise in scaling complex mineral refining, positions Ionic MT to lead in nano-silicon anodes and unlock near term revenue streams with our high-purity alumina by-product portfolio.”
With over 25 years of experience in industrial mineral processing and large-scale production operations, Dr. Yildirim has built a career on turning raw materials into high-value products. Throughout his tenure at KaMin LLC, BASF Corporation, and IMERYS, he has consistently delivered multimillion-dollar operational efficiencies, developed innovative materials for commercial use, and successfully scaled complex mineral refining processes from lab studies to full-scale production.
His work in kaolin processing and alumina refining—including the development of high-purity alumina silicates—uniquely positions him to lead Ionic MT’s production scale-up. By leveraging his deep understanding of hydrometallurgical engineering and resource optimization, Dr. Yildirim is poised to accelerate the commercialization of Ionisil™ nano-silicon while unlocking a high-margin revenue stream from the company’s boehmite alumina co-product.
Advancing Ionisil™ and Beyond
A Ph.D. graduate in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech, Dr. Yildirim holds multiple patents in kaolin purification, calcination, and alumina silicate innovations. His advanced knowledge of hydrometallurgical engineering—particularly deriving high-purity alumina (boehmite) from kaolin and halloysite—positions Ionic MT to expand beyond nano-silicon into strategic battery materials for next-generation separators, coatings, and beyond.
“It’s incredibly exciting to apply my experience to producing not just one, but two US critical materials—Ionisil™ nano-silicon and high-purity alumina,” said Dr. Yildirim. “These innovations will help secure a dependable domestic supply for next-generation energy storage and beyond, and I’m honored to be part of the team driving Ionic MT’s rapid scale-up and commercialization.”
Under Dr. Yildirim’s leadership, Ionic MT aims to accelerate Ionisil™ rollout to meet the needs of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and energy storage providers worldwide, while producing a critical US alumina by-product. His blend of technical and operational expertise underscores the company’s commitment to delivering high-performance, cost-effective domestic material solutions at scale.
For more information about Ionic Mineral Technologies and its latest developments in silicon anode technology, visit www.ionicmt.com.
About Ionic Mineral Technologies
Ionic Mineral Technologies (Ionic MT) is a pioneering producer of nano-silicon materials for lithium-ion battery anodes, designed to enable the next generation of electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems. Leveraging high purity halloysite resources and proprietary, sustainable manufacturing processes, Ionic MT is committed to reducing the environmental impact of battery production while delivering superior performance in the electrification of everything.
For more information, visit www.ionicmt.com.
