Rare earths
Overview
Rare earths or rare earth elements (REE) are crucial to modern society, driving innovation across automotives, electronics, renewable energy, healthcare, defence and aerospace, and as a catalyst in industrial and chemical processing.
As demand for highly engineered products continues to grow, manufacturers that rely on rare earths face a limited supply of marketable product outside a handful of Chinese producers.
Argus Rare Earths Analytics and Argus Non-Ferrous Markets address this unique challenge in the rare earths industry by delivering price data and forecasts through on-the-ground expertise and a proven methodology that supports long-term outlooks as well as supply and demand fundamentals.
Rare earths coverage
Argus produces more than 70 price assessments for the 17 rare earth elements, as well as delivering best-in-class data, news and analysis to support your decision making. In addition, the Argus Rare Earths Analytics service also provides market analysis and 10-year forecasts for supply, demand, prices and projects across key rare earths:
- Cerium prices
- Dysprosium prices
- Erbium prices
- Europium prices
- Gadolinium prices
- Lanthanum prices
- Mischmetal prices
- Neodymium prices
- Praseodymium prices
- Praseodymium-neodymium prices
- Samarium prices
- Terbium prices
- Yttrium prices
Latest rare earth news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global rare earth industry.
Aerospace industry opposes US section 232 measures
Aerospace industry opposes US section 232 measures
London, 17 June (Argus) — Major US-based original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have voiced opposition to a section 232 national security investigation into imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines and associated components, with most calling on the commerce department to commit to a tariff-free regime. The probe, launched on 1 May, elicited input from 205 stakeholders — ranging from individuals to leading aerospace companies — during a three-week comment period. The US is host to the largest aerospace and defence (A&D) industry in the world, and has maintained a positive trade surplus for over 70 years, according to the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). The US exported $135.9bn worth of A&D goods in 2023, with a positive trade balance of $74.5bn, AIA data show. Respondents attributed this surplus to the World Trade Organization's 1979 Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft, which covers trade in civil aircraft, engines and parts between 33 signatory countries including the US, EU, UK, Canada and Japan. Domestic OEMs warn of supply chain disruption Boeing noted that while it relies heavily on domestic sources for its supply chain, around 75pc of its revenue comes from overseas customers, so "foreign market access is critical to Boeing's competitiveness". US carriers will account for only 18pc of the nearly 44,000 new aircraft projected to be built over the next 20 years to meet growing air travel demand, it added. Boeing emphasised the need for diverse global supply chains, adding that quality and regulatory constraints make rapid onshoring of manufacturing capacity a challenge. The critical nature of aviation requires articles to be subject to stringent safety and quality standards. "It may take up to 10 years to establish a new domestic supplier and ensure they meet necessary, rigorous safety certifications," the AIA said. High standards make any short-term disruption to a suppliers' operations particularly damaging. "The loss of one supplier can take many years to rectify," Boeing's head of government, global public policy and corporate strategy Jeff Shockey wrote. "There are often no viable alternative suppliers that can quickly meet the required certification standards, and compromises on those standards — many of which are grounded in aviation safety — are not an option." Kansas-based fuselage manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems urged the commerce department to prevent the implementation of import tariffs because higher duties would increase operating costs, upend long-term supply negotiations and add financial burdens to the industry. The firm highlighted the importance of its UK operations in supporting major aircraft programmes, and said any trade restrictions on that country would create risk for its production schedules. Virginia-based engine maker RTX cautioned that any tariffs levied under section 232 could threaten investment in its domestic manufacturing operations. This includes more than $1bn earmarked for its Asheville facility in North Carolina to expand production capacity of engine blades and vanes, and to add foundry operations for castings in the next few years. RTX warned that any undue pressure on its US supply network — comprising 20,000 companies — could result in small businesses, which are still recovering from Covid-19, to "close their doors". That would have a cascading effect on the wider multi-tiered supply chain, RTX said. RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney's PW1100G-JM geared turbofan engine helps power Airbus' A320neo family. EU, UK stress ties with US partners, facilities The investigation drew responses from several European and UK OEMs that have significant ties to US aerospace supply chains. Europe-based Airbus, through its US subsidiary, stressed that commercial aircraft manufacturing depends on a global supply chain and onshoring that entirely to any single country is neither realistic nor sensible. Airbus' A320 aircraft has 340,000 unique parts, each requiring years of certification. Airbus operates a final assembly line for its A320 and A220 jets in Mobile, Alabama, and has already said tariffs have hit assemblies imported to this operation . French engine manufacturer Safran pointed out that CFM International — its joint venture with GE Aerospace — produces the LEAP engine, which exclusively powers Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft. Safran also supplies the low-pressure compressor module to GE Aerospace for its GEnx engine fitted to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. Boeing's alternative engine for the 787 is the Trent 1000 supplied by UK manufacturer Rolls-Royce, which commented that 60pc of aircraft with its engines are based in the US. It further highlighted the negative effect that tariffs have already had on maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, leading customers to delay repair work or seek unapproved alternatives. Ti forgings characterise broader tariff risks Aerospace parts often rely on unique metals, alloys, composites, forgings and castings that have specific properties, Boeing wrote. Machinery to manufacture these items is purpose-built and limited in capacity. Large structural forgings require unique forging presses capable of exceeding 30,000t hydraulic force, located in the US, Russia, China, France, Japan and Austria. Austrian forger Voestalpine Bohler Aerospace underlined that transatlantic reciprocity extends from finished aircraft and engines down to approved raw materials such as titanium and nickel-based alloys. "The industry cannot rapidly replace suppliers without creating significant cost overruns, supply chain bottlenecks, and safety risks," Voestalpine wrote. Pennsylvania-based Perryman, a key producer of titanium ingot and mill products, said continued access to global suppliers and aerospace-grade raw materials is crucial to avoid disruptions to domestic manufacturing. Perryman also argued that the interconnected nature of the titanium and aviation industries requires balanced trade solutions. The US relies solely on imports of titanium sponge, a necessary input for ingot melting, while also drawing approximately 50pc of its scrap needs from overseas. By Samuel Wood and Alex Nicoll Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
S Korean eco-friendly car sales top 50pc market share
S Korean eco-friendly car sales top 50pc market share
Singapore, 17 June (Argus) — South Korea's domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles exceeded 50pc market share for the first time in May, said the country's trade and industry ministry (Motie), while automotive output and exports fell on the year. Eco-friendly vehicles in South Korea refer to hybrids, battery EVs (BEVs), plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Domestic sales of eco-friendly vehicles reached around 73,500 units in May, up by 39pc against a year earlier and by 5.6pc on the month, overtaking internal combustion engine vehicle domestic sales. This was driven by exceptionally strong BEV and hybrid EV domestic sales, which hit around 21,400 units and 50,600 units respectively, up by 60pc and 31pc on the year. The country's total domestic car sales were marginally up by 0.4pc on the year at around 141,900 units. The country's auto output fell by 3.7pc on the year and 6.9pc on the month to near 359,000 units in May, according to Motie. Exports similarly fell by 3.1pc on the year but were marginally up by 0.2pc on the month at about 247,600 units in May, weighed down by lower automobile exports to the US, which dipped by about 27pc owing to impacts from tariffs. But exports in terms of value to EU countries and Asia rose by 29pc and 45pc on the year to $837mn and $683mn respectively. Eco-friendly vehicle exports rose by 10pc on the year to around 75,200 units, driven by higher hybrid EV exports. Hybrid EV exports rose by 25pc to around 48,800 units in May, while BEV exports dipped by 12pc to near 21,100 units. The South Korean government unveiled in April wide-ranging emergency measures to support its automobile industry in the wake of the US' sweeping tariffs. By Joseph Ho South Korea's domestic car sales in 2025 (units) South Korea's car exports in 2025 (units) Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Australian government loan supports Butcherbird Mn mine
Australian government loan supports Butcherbird Mn mine
Sydney, 17 June (Argus) — The Australian government has opened a A$50mn ($32mn) loan package to support domestic metals producer Element 25's Butcherbird manganese mine expansion, helping the company to triple its concentrate production from 365,000 t/yr to 1.1mn t/yr. The loan package is made up of a A$42.5mn debt facility and a A$7.5mn overdraft facility, Element 25 told investors today. Western Australia's state government approved Element 25's expansion plan in March , paving the way for a 2026 opening. But Element 25 has not secured all the funding it requires for the project and is still in talks with potential partners. It may fund the project through offtake, royalty and stream prepayments, the company said today. Element 25 plans to use the expanded Butcherbird mine to supply feedstock to its developing 135,000 t/yr manganese sulphate monohydrate refinery in the US. It will sell excess concentrate to steelmakers. The US government backed the company's refinery project with a $166mn grant in January , and US carmaker General Motors and European carmaker Stellantis have also pledged to fund the plant. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Canada-US trade deal within 30 days: Carney
Canada-US trade deal within 30 days: Carney
Calgary, 16 June (Argus) — Canada and the US plan to strike a new trade deal within 30 days, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said today after meeting with US president Donald Trump. Carney and Trump met at the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, to discuss a new economic and security relationship between the two countries, who have been locked in trade negotiations for months. "To that end, we agreed to pursue negotiations toward a deal within the coming thirty days," Carney said on X. A readout from the prime minister's office also highlighted further collaboration on critical minerals, gun and drug smuggling, illegal drugs, border security and possible areas of cooperation on defense. Canada has largely been able to counter Trump's on-again/off-again trade action but has not been able to convince Trump to back down on steep import tariffs on steel and aluminum. Trump on 4 June doubled US tariffs to 50pc on steel and aluminum imports — much of which come from Canada. By Brett Holmes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Spotlight content
Browse the latest thought leadership produced by our global team of experts.
Argus launches new prices for rare earth magnets
Rare earths continue to hit the headlines owing to their crucial role in emerging technologies and military applications. The most high-profile demand driver for these minerals has been the rare earth magnets used in electric vehicles, industrial robots, lifts and other industries
Blog - 25/02/24The bizarre case of Ukraine’s ‘rare earths’
On Demand Webinars - 25/02/20Global Rare Earths market outlook
