Deal aims to secure middle and heavy rare earth elements for Ucore’s Louisiana refinery and Japanese industrial demand.
Ucore Rare Metals and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas (SCOA) signed a strategic agreement to develop a North American rare earth supply chain. The deal focuses on sourcing feedstock for Ucore’s Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex and expanding downstream offtake for separated rare earth products, particularly middle and heavy rare earth elements critical for high-performance magnets and advanced materials used in Japan and allied markets.
The collaboration integrates Ucore’s RapidSX technology with SCOA’s global sourcing and logistics network, targeting industrial applications in Japan. SCOA will serve as Ucore’s distribution partner for selected rare earth materials, aligning with Ucore’s Global Partnership Initiative, which includes support from the Government of Canada.
The agreement also explores further cooperative opportunities across the rare earth supply chain, subject to commercial terms. The partnership aims to strengthen regional supply resilience amid growing demand for rare earths in high-tech and defense sectors.