Shin-Etsu Chemical, one of Japan’s largest manufacturers of rare earth magnets, plans to build a new domestic rare earths refinery in Fukui, Japan, as first reported by Nikkei Asia.

Rare earths and uranium producer Energy Fuels has announced an agreement to acquire German rare earths magnet maker Vacuumschmelze (VAC) in a deal worth approximately $1.9 billion, the company announced on Tuesday June 23.

Naturally produced graphite offers a cheaper and more supply-chain stable alternative for battery manufacturers and consumers, Jon Jacobs, chief commercial officer of US-based mineral resources developer Westwater Resources, told Fastmarkets in an exclusive interview on Thursday June 4, as concerns over Chinese dominance in the market forced buyers to look elsewhere.

The West entered the rare earths race late as countries in general were slow to act and now China is far ahead, Mineração Taboca executive manager Ronaldo Lasmar said in an interview with Fastmarkets.

Osaka, Japan-headquartered Daikin Industries, the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer, is partnering with Shin-Etsu Chemical, Hitachi and Tokyo Eco Recycle to recover and recycle rare earth magnets from compressors starting in 2027, the companies said in a joint statement on Tuesday April 14.

Fastmarkets launched three new rare earth prices on Thursday March 19 to cover the global market outside of China to improve transparency in the rare earths magnet supply chain.

Chinese export controls and reduced supply of heavy rare earth products to Japan have the potential to permanently change the rare earth market. On March 19, Fastmarkets, an industry-leading cross-commodity price reporting agency, will launch three new prices to directly address the needs of this new market dynamic.  These new prices are:  *Dysprosium oxide 99.5%, cip global, $/kg  […]

Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for its non-ferrous materials and industrial minerals prices, via an open consultation process between January 6 and February 6. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.

The US is being very creative not only in providing funding for projects but also in finding sustainable ways to develop a Western supply of rare earths, Aclara Resources chief executive officer Ramón Barúa Costa told Fastmarkets in an interview on Monday February 9.

The United States convened more than 50 countries in Washington this week for a critical minerals summit that delivered a flurry of new initiatives designed to reshape the geopolitics — and pricing mechanics — of minerals essential to semiconductors, electric vehicles and the defense supply chain.