ME2C® Environmental to Initiate Testing on Rare Earth Element Technology with Penn State University’s College of Earth & Mineral Sciences

Rhea-AI Summary

Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. (OTCQB: MEEC) has partnered with Pennsylvania State University to evaluate its Rare Earth Element (REE) Technology, which aims to improve the capture and regeneration of rare earth elements. The evaluation will occur from June to September 2021 and seeks to validate the technology's efficiency and commercial viability, crucial for U.S. infrastructure amidst increasing demand for these minerals. Currently, 80% of REEs are imported from China, indicating a significant market opportunity as the U.S. pushes for electric transportation.

Positive

• Partnership with Pennsylvania State University enhances REE Technology evaluation.
• Early results indicate potential for efficient capture of rare earth elements.
• Increased demand for REEs in U.S. infrastructure amidst focus on electric transportation.

Negative

• None.

New Testing Signifies the Company’s Next Phase in REE Technology Development & Commercialization

CORSICANA, TX, June 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. (OTCQB: MEEC) ("ME₂C Environmental" or the “Company”), a leading environmental technologies firm, today announced that the Company has retained the Pennsylvania State University’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences to evaluate the Company’s Rare Earth Element (REE) Technology’s capture capacity and regeneration potential under certain conditions. The evaluation period is set to begin in June and run through the end of September 2021.

“Our new REE technology, which we are in process of developing, has yielded exciting preliminary results thus far in its ability to capture rare earth elements in an efficient manner while maintaining the purity of these minerals and reducing the amount of caustic solutions used,” stated John Pavlish, Chief Technology Officer of ME₂C Environmental. “Penn State is a notable leader in the research, development, and testing of REE extraction and purification techniques. With their assistance in our research, we are more confident than ever in our ability to deliver a commercially viable technology that may be useful in multiple applications related to mineral mining and coal ash. This next phase of our technology’s evaluation with Penn State signifies a pivotal moment in its development, leading to pilot scale testing.”

Currently, 80% of REEs are imported from China; and, in 2018, the Department of Energy reported that the global demand for rare earth elements was roughly 150,000 tons and, in the U.S., 16,500 tons. With the current Administration’s focus on electric transportation and forthcoming environmental regulations, the Company believes reliance and the need for these critical minerals across the U.S. infrastructure is growing.

Learn more about Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Research News here.

About ME₂C^® Environmental

ME₂C Environmental (OTCQB: MEEC), is a leading environmental technologies company developing and delivering patented and proprietary solutions to the global power industry. ME₂C Environmental’s leading-edge services have been shown to achieve emissions removal at a significantly lower cost and with less operational impact than currently used methods, while maintaining and/or increasing power plant output and preserving the marketability of byproducts for beneficial use. ME₂C Environmental is a trade name of Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. For more information, please visit www.me2cenvironmental.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

With the exception of historical information contained in this press release, content herein may contain "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by using words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "expect," "intend," "will," and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Matters that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors, the gain or loss of a major customer, change in environmental regulations, disruption in supply of materials, capacity factor fluctuations of power plant operations and power demands, a significant change in general economic conditions in any of the regions where our customer utilities might experience significant changes in electric demand, a significant disruption in the supply of coal to our customer units, the loss of key management personnel, availability of capital and any major litigation regarding ME₂C Environmental. In addition, this release contains time-sensitive information that reflects management's best analysis only as of the date of this release. ME₂C Environmental does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of this release. Further information concerning issues that could materially affect financial performance related to forward-looking statements contained in this release can be found in ME₂C Environmental’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ME₂C Environmental Contact:
Stacey Hyatt
Corporate Communications
ME₂C Environmental
Main: 614-505-6115 x-1001
Direct: 404-226-4217
shyatt@me2cenvironmental.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Greg Falesnik or Brooks Hamilton
MZ Group - MZ North America
949-546-6326
MEEC@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us

FAQ

What is the partnership between MEEC and Pennsylvania State University about?

MEEC has partnered with Pennsylvania State University to evaluate its Rare Earth Element (REE) Technology, focusing on capture capacity and regeneration potential.

When will the evaluation of the REE Technology by Penn State take place?

The evaluation will take place from June to September 2021.

Why is the development of REE Technology important for MEEC?

The development is crucial due to the growing demand for rare earth elements in U.S. infrastructure, particularly with the push towards electric transportation.

What is the current status of rare earth element imports in the U.S.?

Currently, 80% of rare earth elements are imported from China, highlighting a need for domestic solutions.