Disseminated on behalf of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) and may include paid advertising.
- Ucore reports preparations for heavy rare earth element (“REE”) processing at its Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, with a goal of commissioning the first commercial RapidSX(TM) separation unit in mid-2026.
- RapidSX is Ucore’s proprietary REE separation platform designed to improve on conventional solvent extraction processes.
- Ucore’s broader mission is to establish a resilient, vertically integrated REE supply chain in North America.
Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is signaling a major leap forward in the race to establish a secure Western supply chain for heavy rare earth elements, with plans ramping up for commercial operations targeted in Louisiana by 2026. The company recently released detailed information about significant progress on its proprietary rapid-separation technology and its transition from demonstration testing in Canada toward full deployment at a U.S. facility that could help reduce longstanding dependencies on foreign processors. The announcement underscores not only technological advancement but also strategic alignment with North American critical-mineral security goals.
In the announcement, Ucore highlights the company’s preparations for heavy rare earth element (“REE”) processing at its Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, with a goal of commissioning the first commercial RapidSX(TM) separation unit in mid-2026. This project builds on nearly two years of demonstration work with Ucore’s RapidSX technology at the company’s Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario. According to the company, the Kingston demonstration has completed thousands of hours of continuous processing and tens of thousands of analytical samples, generating data that supports the commercial scalability of RapidSX and its application to rare earth oxide feedstocks.
RapidSX is Ucore’s proprietary REE separation platform designed to improve on conventional solvent extraction processes. Independent descriptions of the technology note that RapidSX can process rare earth elements significantly faster than traditional systems while reducing required plant footprint, construction and operating costs, and time to achieve steady-state production. The modular design enables adaptability to different feedstocks within a smaller physical profile compared with conventional solvent extraction, and its scalability is intended to facilitate staged, phased deployments.
Ucore’s Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex is designed to address a critical gap in North American rare-earth separation capacity. Historically, rare-earth processing has been concentrated in Asia, particularly China, leaving the United States and Canada reliant on imports for refined rare-earth oxides that are essential for permanent-magnet production and many high-tech and defense applications. By leveraging its RapidSX technology, Ucore aims to produce mid and heavy rare earth oxides at commercial scale in the United States on a timeline that aligns with projected demand from defense and clean-energy sectors.
Ucore’s Louisiana project is supported by a significant Other Transaction Agreement with the U.S. Department of War valued at $22.4 million. This agreement is tied to the deployment and commercialization of RapidSX heavy rare earth separation operations at the Alexandria site and positions Ucore’s project within the broader U.S. strategy to reshore critical mineral processing. Industry reporting confirms that the company plans to install its first RapidSX commercial module, known as RapidSX Machine #1, at the Louisiana facility by mid-2026 as part of a modular build-out approach.
Ucore’s broader mission is to establish a resilient, vertically integrated REE supply chain in North America that spans from ore sources through separation and refinement to feed the high-performance magnet manufacturing required for defense, automotive electrification, wind energy and other advanced technologies. The Louisiana facility is a cornerstone of this strategy. Supported by demonstration data and government partnerships on both sides of the border, Ucore’s RapidSX technology and phased commercialization plan represent a practical step toward reducing reliance on foreign processing and advancing Western supply chain self-sufficiency for critical minerals.
For more information, visit www.Ucore.com.
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