Western Rare Earth Projects Gear Up for 2025 Amid Growing Global Demand

Ucore Rare Metals

As the global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) escalates, largely driven by the burgeoning sectors of electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, and electronics, Western countries are intensifying their efforts to establish commercial-scale REE separation and processing capabilities outside China. With China currently dominating over 80% of the global REE refining market, Western initiatives are crucial in diversifying the supply chain and reducing dependency on Chinese exports.

Strategic Shifts in Rare Earth Processing

In response to China's recent bans on the export of RE extraction and separation technologies and key electronic metals to the US, Western governments and companies are pushing aggressively to develop alternative refining capacities. This includes the exploration of less polluting processes than the traditional solvent extraction methods prevalent in China. High-grade REE deposits in places like Northeast Wyoming are being developed by firms such as Wyoming Rare USA and Rare Element Resources, aiming to ramp up production over the next two years.

In addition to U.S. projects, Canada's Ucore Rare Metals recently received substantial DoD funding to advance REE separation at its RapidSX commercial demonstration facility in Ontario. This is part of a broader "friendshoring" strategy by the DoD, which also recognizes suppliers from Canada, Australia, and the UK as part of the domestic supply chain.

Expanding Western Production Capacities

Several U.S. facilities are already operational or are expanding their capacities to meet the increasing market demand. These include ReElement Technologies in Indiana, Rainbow Rare Earths in Florida, and Lynas in Texas. Notably, Phoenix Tailings in Massachusetts and Energy Fuels in Utah are also increasing their production volumes.

The expansion is not limited to North America. In Europe, projects like the expansion of Nd and NdPr processing at UK-based Less Common Metals and the new NdPr production facility by Solvay in France are underway. These efforts are complemented by plans for new production facilities in Norway and Sweden, aligning with Europe's strategic moves to boost its EV manufacturing and renewable energy sectors.