Rare Earth Shortage Forces US Aerospace and Semiconductor Suppliers to Reject Orders

[SMM Rare Earth News Brief] Belgium's Solvay has reached a supply agreement with Australia's Viridis Mining & Minerals to receive rare earth raw materials from its Colossus ion-adsorption ore project in Brazil starting in 2028, processing them into high-purity oxides at its La Rochelle plant in France, covering key magnetic material elements including neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. This move will ensure Solvay meets Europe's growing rare earth demand, helping it achieve its goal of covering 30% of European demand by 2030, while also promoting diversification of the Western rare earth supply chain.

To better track rare earth price swings and support long‑term contract settlements, SMM launched “Evening Prices” (since April 27, 2026) for Pr‑Nd and gadolinium, available via data terminal and Renrenkan. As afternoon transaction peaks have shifted due to volatility (e.g., Pr‑Nd alloy: 1.09M to 830k yuan/mt in H1 2026), evening prices reflect actual afternoon trades, benefiting metal‑magnet contracts. For magnet‑end‑user annual contracts, morning prices are recommended.