US Strategic Metals and Ionic Rare Earths to Build First U.S. Magnet Recycling Plant in Missouri
US Strategic Metals and Ionic Rare Earths announced plans to construct the first U.S. facility dedicated to recycling rare earth magnets. The plant will be located in Missouri, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains for critical materials.
US Strategic Metals (USSM) and Ionic Rare Earths have announced plans to construct the first U.S. facility dedicated to recycling rare earth magnets. The project aims to bolster the domestic supply chain for critical materials used in applications such as electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.
USSM will contribute $95 million and host the magnet recycling facility at its 1,750-acre permitted site in Missouri. Ionic Rare Earths will license its magnet recycling technology and lead the technical operations of the plant. This investment is intended to decrease the United States' dependence on foreign sources for rare earth elements.
Construction of the Missouri facility is scheduled to commence in September 2026. The project is expected to generate new employment opportunities within the region and promote more sustainable industrial practices. The growing demand for rare earth metals, particularly from the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors, makes domestic recycling a strategic imperative.
The collaboration between USSM and Ionic Rare Earths seeks to establish a circular economy model for the magnet production lifecycle. The objective is to reclaim and recycle end-of-life magnets, thereby recovering valuable rare earth elements for subsequent reuse.