US DLA Adds Scandium Oxide to Defense Stockpile, Seeks Supply Bids

Published: Sep 23, 2025 15:48 (GMT+8)

Save

[SMM News: US Adds Scandium Oxide to National Defense Stockpile] The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), a subordinate agency of the US Department of Defense (DoD), has incorporated scandium oxide into the national defense stockpile system and is initiating the solicitation of supply bids from relevant enterprises for this mineral/metal. Scandium oxide is widely used in semiconductors and other electronic products. The DLA announced that over the next five years, it will enter into scandium oxide supply contracts using fixed-price delivery orders, with no upper limit on the procurement quantity. The DLA revealed that the sole source of scandium oxide in North America is Rio Tinto Group. At its RTIT Quebec facility in Sorel-Tracy, Canada, Rio Tinto extracts high-purity scandium oxide from titanium dioxide production scrap streams. The DLA stated that Rio Tinto has indicated its capacity is fully capable of meeting the demands of the national defense stockpile. It is worth mentioning that on May 7, the DLA issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) regarding scandium metal supply, receiving responses from four companies, with only Rio Tinto expressing the capability and capacity to supply scandium oxide.

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 for 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

Sep 30, 2026 17:18 (GMT+8)

SMM Rare Earth Afternoon Trading Comment for September 30

Sep 30, 2026 17:18 (GMT+8)

Sep 30, 2026 15:26 (GMT+8)

Scrap Prices Remain Stable, Holiday Market Trading Thins [SMM Recycled Rare Earth Weekly Review]

[SMM Recycled Rare Earth Weekly Review: Scrap Prices Stable, Market Activity Slows Ahead of Holiday] Overall, Pr-Nd scrap prices remained stable this week, with a slight upward adjustment near the weekend. Recycling enterprises turned cautious about chasing higher prices after wrapping up pre-holiday stockpiling, while suppliers showed low willingness to sell. Market activity gradually cooled as the holiday approached. In the short term, the market is expected to remain quiet during the holiday with little improvement in trading, and Pr-Nd scrap prices are likely to maintain a stable pattern.

Sep 30, 2026 15:26 (GMT+8)

Sep 30, 2026 15:21 (GMT+8)

Pr-Nd prices hold firm with a steady rise, trading tends to thin before the holiday [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review]

[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Pr-Nd Prices Hold Firm with Slight Gains; Trading Activity Slows Ahead of Holiday] Terbium oxide was at 6.52-6.55 million yuan/mt, with downstream acceptance of high prices remaining weak, negotiation centers edging down, and overall market offer activity mediocre with thin trading. Gadolinium oxide was at 190,000-192,000 yuan/mt, with downstream inquiries persistently weak, and suppliers showing little willingness to adjust prices, mostly holding prices steady and waiting. Holmium oxide was at 635,000-637,500 yuan/mt, consolidating, with limited changes in supply-demand fundamentals. Erbium oxide was at 670,000-675,000 yuan/mt, with downstream inquiries weak and trading follow-through insufficient. Yttrium oxide (5N) was at 58,000-60,000 yuan/mt, and yttrium oxide (3N) at 28,000-30,000 yuan/mt, with demand mediocre, downstream follow-through insufficient, and prices lacking upward momentum.

Sep 30, 2026 15:21 (GMT+8)