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Audits

ISE real value audit

Evaluation audit

An audit is a 50-80 page report on your goods, market, market environment, occurrence, production, use, customers, and special features.

An audit calculates the total value of your lot of a specific commodity. We use the guidelines of IFRS 13 for the valuation of commodities.

In our audit, we also expressly point out that we accept no liability for transactions that are the subject of the audit.

The audit is conducted in German. However, it can be translated into any other language. Depending on the goods, we need 3-5 weeks to complete the audit. The audit is delivered as a PDF and in three bound copies.

The following documents are required for the audit:
  • 1. Order placement PDF

  • 2. ISE valuation

  • 3. Analysis(es)

  • 4. Sample collection protocol

  • 5. Warehouse receipt

  • 6. Import/export licenses (optional)

  • 7. Photos

  • 8. Proof of origin

  • 9. Manufacturer's data sheet

  • 10. Packing list

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Microfinishing

Microfinishing of Ultrafine Powders

The Durability and Shelf Life of Micro- and Nanopowders

In modern times, there is an increasing use of ultra-fine powders and nanopowders. Despite the many advantages these materials offer, they also come with a significant drawback. Due to their enormous surface area, they are much more susceptible to oxidation compared to their counterparts in rod, ingot, or disk form. When powders are properly packaged in high-quality PET bottles, sealed with membranes, and stored under argon atmosphere, they can maintain their stability for 10 to 15 years when stored upright. However, factors such as moisture, light exposure, horizontal storage, inferior containers, missing or leaking membranes, and similar conditions can reduce this shelf life. The end of the shelf life is typically indicated by small signs of corrosion, which cause the usually very fine particles to agglomerate into larger clumps. Once corrosion is noticed, immediate action is necessary, as the process spreads rapidly and continuously. Irreversibly corroded powder often appears graphite-like in appearance.

Packaging of Ultrafine Powders

Some powders are stored in glass ampoules that maintain a constant internal atmosphere for years. This type of packaging has both advantages and disadvantages. For industrial use, these containers are unsuitable, as glass ampoules cannot be opened without breaking the glass inside. The industry therefore prefers PET bottles. PET bottles are also more practical for air transport, as they are significantly lighter than glass ampoules. However, some powdersare used as financial assets due to their value sometimes exceeding that of gold. In such cases, glass ampoules are favored because they allow the powder to be stored virtually indefinitely in a sealed environment without the need for maintenance.

Microfinishing of Ultrafine Powders

After a powder has been stored for ten years, an analysis test—including shape and size determination— should be conducted every two years thereafter. Using a scanning electron microscope, it can be quickly determined whether oxidation has begun. If oxidation is detected, prompt action is required to prevent further degradation.

The first step involves sieving the powder with an ultrasonic fine sieve to a specified particle size, typically ranging between 100 nanometers and 50 micrometers. In practice, this sieving process is usually repeated several times. Next, the particles are fragmented using an ultrasonic device, which reducesuheir size and rounds their shape. This fragmentation process is also repeated multiple times. The third step is tumbling the particles in an argon vacuum tumbler. Under a constant argon flow, the particles are mixed thoroughly. Argon attaches to each particle, forming a protective layer around them, which extends the powder’s shelf life by another 10 to 15 years. Finally, the processed powder is filled into high-quality PET bottles. The remaining approximately 10 cm of headspace at the top of the container is filled with argon gas—heavier than air—then sealed with a membrane to securely trap the argon inside. A safety cap protects the valuable contents in their new packaging. The bottles are then placed upright in their boxes inside an inlet to prevent tipping, and the boxes are resealed. All performed procedures are documented in a product report provided to the customer.

The Final Product

When it comes to the handling, processing, and packaging of high-quality powders, we don’t cut corners on the details. We use only branded bottles, caps, boxes, and inserts. Our machinery comes exclusively from reputable manufacturers. In the end, you receive a professionally and meticulously processed product, proudly made in Switzerland.

 

Microfinishing, ultrafine powders, powder stability, surface treatment, powder processing, nanopowders handling, packaging and storage, metal powders, high-precision materials, ISE AG services, ISE AG

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ISE Network

ISE Network

The most frequently asked question we receive is: Do you buy metals?

The Institut für Seltene Erden und Metalle AG does not buy or sell metals; however, we are very happy to connect customers within our network.

What is the meaning behind this powerful statement?

Our core business is the storage, analysis, and valuation of high-purity metals. As a custodian, analytical laboratory, and evaluator of metals, we must maintain an indisputable distance from the market. Therefore, we are always very careful to ensure that this is—and remains—the case.

Our clients include private individuals, national and international companies, metal goods manufacturers, financial institutions of all kinds, auditors, and even governments. This means that some have goods to offer while others are seeking them. We are pleased to connect these parties and even facilitate their sales negotiations. To maintain our impartiality and independence, we charge only 1% of the sale price for this consulting service to cover our costs.

However, we offer this service exclusively to our clients. Until 2020, we operated a public trading platform accessible to all market participants. Ultimately, it was a platform of intermediaries who had everything except actual goods and funds. Therefore, we decided to continue providing brokerage services, but only on a personally known and trusted basis. In practice, this means that only goods physically stored in our warehouse are offered, ensuring we know exactly who owns the goods and that the goods actually exist. Only items with documentation from ISE are offered, so we can precisely verify the quantity, condition, origin, age, quality, and price of the goods. We do this because we want to know exactly what we are dealing with. It saves both your time and ours when everything is exactly as declared.

The ISE network has grown organically over the past decades. Currently, ISE AG serves more than 500 active clients and manages several hundred tons of inventory consisting of high-purity metals and related products.

If you wish to store, buy, or sell products within our range of high-purity metals and rare earth elements, you have come to the right place. All goods stored with us come with ISE documentation. As a buyer, you will know exactly what you are receiving and that you will indeed receive it. As a seller, you can be confident that your goods are stored and documented correctly until the sale. As an investor or speculator, you can rest assured that your products are securely stored at ISE and that, when the time comes to sell, you will have perfect documentation in place.

ISE does not buy or sell metals. Instead, ISE currently works with three independent metal dealers in Central Switzerland. This arrangement offers you, as a customer, the advantage of accessing contacts who have already undergone all necessary compliance, KYC, and AML checks. Through coordinated agreements with its partners, ISE has established a classic tripartite relationship that eliminates the need for an expensive trustee while still providing security for all parties involved.

Please feel free to contact us. We are happy to help you find a solution for your metal-related challenges.

ISE Network, metal network, metal brokerage service, connect buyers and sellers, high-purity metals network, rare earth metals network, impartial metal services, ISE AG client network, metal connections, ISE AG

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Storage

Storage

Transport and storage of metals must be carried out under safe conditions.

The Institut für Seltene Erden und Metalle AG has been your reliable partner for the analysis and evaluation of rare earths and high-purity metals since 2011. Since 2020, we have also been able to offer you storage services for these metals, including all related services such as transport, customs formalities, collection, etc.

We work in this field with two Swiss companies, both of which have been active in this area for over 45 years. Our partners' core business is the handling of works of art and high-quality metals, in particular their storage, packaging, and worldwide transport. The large, high-security storage rooms offer space both within Switzerland and in free storage facilities. Storage space is available both directly at Zurich Airport and in Embrach-Embraport. Each storage room is equipped with a separate “showroom,” which makes it easy to arrange a viewing or take samples by prior appointment.

Our logistics partner enjoys the full acceptance of all customers, banks, and financial service providers with whom the Institute for Rare Earths and Metals works. In addition to analysis, evaluation, and import documents, complete documentation of your goods naturally also includes a recognized warehouse receipt. Our warehouse receipts (SKR = safekeeping receipt) correspond directly to the analyses and evaluations we have prepared. You will receive comprehensive documentation to ensure the best possible success for the sale or mortgaging of your goods.

We would be happy to provide you with a quote.

For this purpose, we require the following information and documents:

  • 1. Request for quotation

  • 2. Type of metal

  • 3. Total weight of the shipment

  • 4. Pick-up location

  • 5. Place of delivery

  • 6. Customs documents/commercial invoice

    If cross-border

  • 7. Photos

  • 8. Dimensions of the goods to be transported

    in centimeters (length x height x width)

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