Metal Production
DEco grade
Downstream5 facilities tracked
Electrolytic or metallothermic reduction of purified REE oxides or fluorides into metals and alloys ready for magnet production.
Where does the mass go?
Material flow balance — per 100 t NdPr oxide fed
FeedstockChemical InputProcessValuable OutputWaste / Emissions
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Critical Ratio
~20% mass loss from oxygen removal during electrolytic reduction - requires ~10,000-12,000 kWh per tonne of oxide
Ratings
Capital Outlay$$ Medium
Technical DifficultyHigh
Geopolitical SensitivityHigh
Energy Intensity⚡⚡⚡ High
Environmental Footprint🍂 D - High impact
Value Add2x-3x
Technical MoatMedium
Material Flow
INPurified REE Oxides
OUTREE Metals / Alloys
Key Reagents / Inputs
- Fluoride salts
- Calcium
- Molten salt electrolyte
Waste Outputs
- Spent fluoride salt bath
- Fluorine off-gas (HF)
- Calcium slag
- Carbon anode waste
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Technical Moat
MediumBarrier is the energy-intensive nature of molten salt electrolysis and the specialised furnace engineering required to prevent metal oxidation. Scaling outside China has proven a major bottleneck.
