US rare earth and critical mineral refiner ReElement Technologies announced the successful production of samarium oxide with a purity exceeding 99.9% from recycled raw materials and ore, and is expected to supply samarium cobalt magnet materials on a commercial scale for applications in aerospace, communication systems, and the national defense industry, among other fields.
The company currently operates two facilities located in Marion and Noblesville, Indiana, and collaborates with multiple enterprises to produce rare earth magnets. Previously, ReElement reached an agreement with US magnet producer Vulcan Elements to jointly convert waste magnets, electronic scrap, and concentrates into high-purity rare earth oxides. In November 2025, the two companies received a conditional loan commitment of $700 million from the US Department of Defense to expand magnet capacity.
Additionally, ReElement and South Korea’s POSCO plan to jointly establish a rare earth and permanent magnet production complex in the US, with POSCO responsible for raw material procurement and magnet manufacturing, while ReElement provides separation, refining, and recycling technology support. The company expects to increase capacity at its Marion facility and partner facilities in 2026 to further meet market demand.
