Técnicas Reunidas successfully produces commercial-grade Nd/Pr oxide using RARETECH®, strengthening Europe’s rare earth supply chain and decarbonization ambitions.
Técnicas Reunidas has achieved a significant technological milestone in the rare earths industry by successfully producing its first batches of neodymium/praseodymium (Nd/Pr) oxide that meet commercial-grade purity standards and industrial specifications. This accomplishment represents a major advancement in the development of sustainable and reliable rare earth processing technologies, positioning the company as a key contributor to the global transition toward clean energy and advanced technologies.
Neodymium and praseodymium are among the most strategically important rare earth elements due to their essential role in manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets. These magnets are critical components used in electric vehicle (EV) motors, offshore and onshore wind turbines, robotics, consumer electronics, and numerous advanced industrial applications. As the global shift toward electrification and renewable energy accelerates, the demand for high-quality Nd/Pr oxide is expected to rise substantially, making the development of secure and sustainable supply chains increasingly important.
The breakthrough was achieved using Técnicas Reunidas’ proprietary RARETECH® technology, an innovative in-house solution specifically designed for the separation, extraction, and purification of valuable rare earth elements. The successful production of Nd/Pr oxide was carried out at the company’s pilot plant located within its Technology Center in Madrid. By obtaining a product that satisfies commercial purity requirements, the company has demonstrated not only the effectiveness of its technology at the pilot scale but also its potential to be expanded for large-scale industrial applications.
This achievement supports Europe’s broader strategy to strengthen its independence in the supply of critical raw materials, particularly those required for clean energy technologies and the digital transformation. Currently, the global rare earth supply chain is highly concentrated, creating concerns over supply security and strategic dependency. The development of advanced European processing capabilities such as RARETECH® represents an important step toward establishing a more resilient and self-sufficient rare earth value chain.
The accomplishment was realized within the framework of the European Union’s PERMANET (PERmanent MAgnet Network for the European Transition) project, which is coordinated by Técnicas Reunidas. The initiative aims to create a complete European value chain for permanent magnets, from the extraction and processing of rare earth materials to the production of advanced magnetic components. Such efforts are considered vital for supporting Europe’s ambitions in renewable energy deployment, electric mobility, and technological competitiveness.
The latest success of RARETECH® follows Técnicas Reunidas’ recent expansion into international rare earth mining projects through major engineering and service agreements. The company has secured contracts with Australian mining firms Osmond Resources for a rare earth project in Jaén, Spain, and St George Mining for a project in Araxá, Brazil. These agreements will integrate RARETECH® technology into the development of these projects, demonstrating increasing industry confidence in the company’s proprietary processing solutions and its ability to support the creation of sustainable rare earth supply chains worldwide.
Javier Limpo, Corporate Director of the Proprietary Technology Development Division at Técnicas Reunidas, stated that this achievement further strengthens the company’s strategic commitment to sustainable mining and the rare earths sector. He emphasized that the advancement of technologies such as RARETECH® will contribute significantly to global decarbonization objectives while reinforcing Técnicas Reunidas’ position as a leading engineering and technology partner capable of scaling innovative rare earth processing solutions to industrial production levels.
Overall, this technological achievement marks an important step toward reducing dependence on external rare earth supplies, accelerating the clean energy transition, and establishing advanced processing capabilities that can support future industrial and environmental goals.
