Ucore and Vulcan Plug a Critical Gap in America’s Rare Earth Magnet Chain
Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (OTCQX: UURAF) and Vulcan Elements Inc. have signed an MOU to link U.S. rare earth separation in Louisiana with neodymium-iron-boron magnet manufacturing in North Carolina, targeting NdPr and Dy oxide supply starting in 2027 for defense and commercial markets. This agreement aims to close a key midstream gap in the U.S. rare earth supply chain, where separated NdPr and Dy oxides—still largely sourced from China—are needed to produce high-performance magnets for EVs, industrials, and military systems.
Closing the rare earths gap
Ucore plans to use its RapidSX separation platform, scaled at a demonstration facility in Kingston, Ontario, and backed by an 18.4 million dollar U.S. Department of Defense award, to feed its planned Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana. Downstream, Vulcan is already producing NdFeB magnets in Durham, North Carolina, and is developing a 10,000-metric-ton-per-year magnet plant in Benson under a roughly 1.4 billion dollar partnership with the U.S. government, positioning it as a major non‑Chinese magnet producer.
Path to 2027 supply
Under the MOU, Ucore will ship NdPr and Dy oxide samples in 2026 as both parties finalize purity, testing, and acceptance criteria ahead of a full commercial supply deal, with oxide deliveries targeted for 2027. Leadership at both companies describe the partnership as a cornerstone of a resilient U.S. REE‑to‑magnet chain, giving investors a more integrated exposure that ties Ucore’s DoD‑backed separation buildout directly to Vulcan’s growing magnet capacity for EV, clean energy, and defense demand.
