Stalemate and Game Between Upstream and Downstream; Worsening Inversion of Rare Earth Metals [SMM Weekly Review]

Published: Jan 9, 2025 14:38
[SMM Weekly Review: Stalemate Between Upstream and Downstream Intensifies, Rare Earth Metal Losses Worsen] Metal factories have raised their quotations following the increase in oxide prices, but downstream magnetic material enterprises, facing lower order prices, show low acceptance of high-priced metals. This has made high-price transactions in the market difficult, further exacerbating the raw material cost losses for metal factories.

SMM January 9 News:

Rare Earth Ore:

During the week, rare earth ore prices remained generally stable. With separation plants expected to suspend production for maintenance, market demand for rare earth ore gradually cooled. However, considering the limited supply, price fluctuations for rare earth ore were relatively small.

Rare Earth Oxides:

This week, lanthanum oxide prices slightly decreased to 3,600-4,000 yuan/mt, while cerium oxide prices slightly increased to 7,800-8,000 yuan/mt. Overall, rare earth oxide prices saw a slight rise during the week. As some raw ore separation enterprises are expected to suspend production for maintenance, purchase willingness from metal plants increased, leading to a slight rise in market inquiries. Suppliers gradually raised their quotations, and low-price transactions quickly tightened. Yttrium oxide prices remained stable this week at 40,000-43,000 yuan/mt.

Rare Earth Metals:

In the metals sector, metal plants raised their quotations in line with the increase in oxide prices. However, downstream magnetic material enterprises, constrained by low order prices, showed low acceptance of high-priced metals, making high-price transactions difficult. This further exacerbated the losses in raw material costs for metal plants.

Rare Earth Permanent Magnets:

This week, magnetic material enterprises continued to adhere to the principle of restocking as needed, resulting in relatively low procurement volumes and limited market activity. As the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, enterprises have gradually ramped up production to fulfill orders. However, downstream market order volumes did not show significant growth, and no major fluctuations are expected before the holiday. Post-holiday market conditions remain to be observed.

Rare Earth Scrap:

This week, the scrap market remained stable, with sellers generally adopting a wait-and-see approach, opting to hold inventory for post-holiday sales. Scrap separation enterprises restocked based on demand, maintaining a normal procurement pace. There was low willingness to sign orders at high prices, and mainstream quotations in the market were generally in line with current prices.

》Apply for a Free Trial of the SMM Metal Industry Chain Database

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
South Korea Launches R&D Project to Recycle Fuel Cells and Rare Earth Magnets From Scrapped Hydrogen Vehicles
3 hours ago
South Korea Launches R&D Project to Recycle Fuel Cells and Rare Earth Magnets From Scrapped Hydrogen Vehicles
Read More
South Korea Launches R&D Project to Recycle Fuel Cells and Rare Earth Magnets From Scrapped Hydrogen Vehicles
South Korea Launches R&D Project to Recycle Fuel Cells and Rare Earth Magnets From Scrapped Hydrogen Vehicles
South Korea will launch a national R&D project to reuse fuel cells and rare earth permanent magnets recovered from scrapped hydrogen vehicles. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute announced on June 8 that they will begin a national R&D project to safely dismantle end-of-life hydrogen vehicles and reuse or recycle their key components. The ministry will invest KRW 40.8 billion from this year through 2029 to develop technologies in three major areas: safe removal of residual hydrogen and dismantling of key components; development of power generation systems using reused hydrogen storage tanks and fuel cells; and recovery of permanent magnets from end-of-life drive motors and conversion into high-purity rare earth materials.
3 hours ago
China's NEV Production Boosts NdFeB Demand in Automotive Sector, Up 18.8% YoY
3 hours ago
China's NEV Production Boosts NdFeB Demand in Automotive Sector, Up 18.8% YoY
Read More
China's NEV Production Boosts NdFeB Demand in Automotive Sector, Up 18.8% YoY
China's NEV Production Boosts NdFeB Demand in Automotive Sector, Up 18.8% YoY
[SMM Rare Earth Magnetic Materials Newsflash] Recently, CAAM released data showing that China's NEV production in May 2026 reached 1.554 million units, while total automobile production reached 2.616 million units. Based on the SMM survey and model, NdFeB demand from NEVs in China was 6,641.1 mt in May 2026, and total NdFeB consumption in the automotive industry was 6,945.8 mt, up 18.8% YoY. As of now, the automotive sector remains the largest NdFeB consumer, and its share of total consumption is expected to be approximately 30% in 2026.
3 hours ago
DOE Selects Phoenix Tailings for Rare Earth Metals Demo Facility Funding Negotiations
Jun 10, 2026 10:58
DOE Selects Phoenix Tailings for Rare Earth Metals Demo Facility Funding Negotiations
Read More
DOE Selects Phoenix Tailings for Rare Earth Metals Demo Facility Funding Negotiations
DOE Selects Phoenix Tailings for Rare Earth Metals Demo Facility Funding Negotiations
[SMM Rare Earth Flash News] The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Phoenix Tailings, based in Oklahoma, for funding negotiations to support its construction of a demonstration facility that will produce high-purity rare earth metals from industrial scrap locally. The project aims to develop a new commercial pathway to realize domestic production of heavy rare earth metals. The project is part of the DOE's "Rare Earth Element Demonstration Facility Program" with a total investment of $134 million, but the specific amount reserved for Phoenix Tailings has not been disclosed.
Jun 10, 2026 10:58