Solvay Expands Rare Earth Production in Europe

Solvay officially inaugurates its rare earth production line for permanent magnets at its La Rochelle site, marking an important milestone in the Group's commitment to its European strategic objectives.

Solvay's investment in France strengthens its largest rare earth separation facility outside of China, aims to support green technologies and contribute to the autonomy of Europe's rare earth production. The company has started commercial production of rare earths for permanent magnets, which are essential for electric vehicle engines, renewable energy, advanced electronics and defense systems, with the goal of meeting 30% of European demand by 2030.

Solvay is working with emerging mining and recycling companies to build a strong, reliable and sustainable supply chain. The plant will source rare earths and recycled materials from different suppliers and mining partners in accordance with the provisions of the Critical Raw Materials Act.

“At Solvay, we call for strong partnerships with stakeholders, suppliers and customers to build a competitive and robust European rare earth value chain. Our expertise, supported by the right partners, will drive growth and success in the rare earth industry. We have ambitious plans to build a reliable, high-performance permanent magnet value chain,” said Solvay CEO Philippe Kehren.

“As we expand our plant capacity, we are reinventing processes, leveraging our unique expertise in rare earth separations to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% and water usage by half by 2030,” added An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Specialty Chemicals business. “Our commitment to innovation and sustainability strengthens our leadership and competitiveness in the rare earth industry, making us the preferred choice for customers in Europe and beyond.”