SMM Analysis: 2024 Rare Earth Market Review & Outlook, NdFeB Production Hits 280,000 mt with Pr-Nd Oxide Demand-Supply Balance

Cobalt Blue and Glomar Minerals have formed a consortium to jointly advance the U.S. critical minerals processing initiative known as Project Infinity. The two parties will integrate Glomar Minerals’ marine mining licenses and deep-sea mineral extraction capabilities, together with Cobalt Blue’s proven critical minerals metallurgical processing technologies and patented intellectual property. They plan to construct a polymetallic nodule processing facility in the United States with an annual throughput of approximately 200,000 tonnes. Polymetallic nodules are abundant resources containing cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper, rare earth elements, titanium and multiple other metals, enabling the output of a wide range of mineral products from a single raw material source.

Concluding our series, we shift focus to 2026's emerging NdFeB growth drivers: robotics, low-altitude economy, and electric two-wheelers. While viewed as the "second growth curve," we analyze their actual demand support amidst current macro and industry cycles to determine if they can offset traditional sector slowdowns.