Ucore Produces NdPr Oxide and Ships Qualification Samples to Major Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturers

Executive Summary

• Ucore Rare Metals has successfully produced 99.5%+ neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide at its Kingston, Ontario demonstration plant and shipped initial qualification samples to major rare earth permanent magnet manufacturers.
• The samples will undergo rigorous technical evaluation to verify purity, phase composition, consistency, and compatibility with Western NdFeB magnet manufacturing processes.
• This operational milestone advances Ucore's strategy to secure definitive supply agreements for its Kingston Commercialization and Demonstration Facility and its planned Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex.

Key Details

• Production Output: 99.5%+ NdPr oxide generated at the 52-stage RapidSX™ Demonstration Plant in Kingston, Ontario.
• Feedstock & Process: Heavy mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) derived from an ionic clay source was processed into 99.5%+ NdPr chloride, which was subsequently converted into 99.5%+ NdPr oxide.
• Sample Distribution: Initial qualification samples shipped to major rare earth permanent magnet manufacturers serving North American and European supply chains.
• Qualification Testing Scope: Independent chemical assays for purity/impurities, phase composition, handling/moisture/consistency checks, and compatibility assessment for alloy formulation, process qualification, and finished magnet compliance.
• Strategic Alignment: Supports development of structured definitive supply agreements for the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC) and Kingston Commercialization and Demonstration Facility (CDF).
• Product Pipeline: NdPr oxide will be a core midstream product; dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) are also planned for production at the Louisiana SMC.
• Commercial Progress: Current strategic relationships are at the MOU stage; successful qualification is expected to elevate partnerships to potential commercial offtake arrangements, including product specifications, quality assurance protocols, logistics requirements, and commercial terms.
• Downstream Feedback Loop: Customer evaluation will provide direct technical feedback to inform the design, construction, commissioning, and operational plans of the Louisiana SMC.

Notable Quotes

• Pat Ryan, Chairman and CEO: "Sample qualification is a critical step toward developing potential offtake arrangements... The NdPr oxide shipped to major rare earth magnet manufacturers was not produced in a concept study. It was produced through Ucore's RapidSX™ demonstration platform, from real mixed rare earth feedstock, and is now in the hands of companies working to develop Western magnet manufacturing capacity."
• Mike Schrider, VP and COO: "For downstream customers, oxide quality matters. Purity, impurity control, physical form, consistency, conversion performance, and traceability all have to be understood before commercial supply can begin. These samples give potential customers the material they need to evaluate Ucore's rare earth oxides against their own technical and manufacturing requirements."
• Mike Schrider, VP and COO: "This work also gives Ucore direct feedback from downstream customers as we continue to translate the learnings from our Kingston CDF into the design, construction, commissioning, and operational plans of the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex."