Metals & Mining Theme, Non-Ferrous
January 13, 2026
Platts proposes market-first 'alternative-supply-chain' rare earth elements assessments
Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, proposes the launch of first-of-their-kind rare earth elements price assessments focused on mine-to-industry alternative supply chains (ASCs), effective March 31, 2026.
China currently accounts for about 60% of global mine production of rare earth elements -- required to produce permanent magnets found in everything from consumer electronics and electric vehicles to airplanes and military defense systems -- and as much as 91% of global refining and processing capability, according to the International Energy Agency.
Global market participants have increasingly expressed interest in being able to differentiate the cost of such rare earth materials from material sourced from other origins.
Platts plans to launch four new monthly delivered-North America assessments for oxide forms of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), dysprosium, terbium and samarium that would include mined or refined material originating from the following countries: Angola, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, France, Greenland, India, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, the US and Vietnam. Other delivery locations and FOB indications may be normalized.
Platts would periodically review the list of origins, which could be subject to change based on geopolitical or trade developments. Platts would notify market participants of any changes or updates to the list of countries included.
Specifications for the new assessments would be as follows:
| Assessment | Quality | Quantity | Dimensions/Form | Delivery Incoterm/Location | Timing | Payment | UOM |
| NdPr oxide DDP North America | TREM content 99.5% minimum | 25 kg minimum, 200-1000 kg typical | Powder | DDP North America | Delivery within 30 days | Cash against documents | $/kg |
| Dysprosium oxide DDP North America | TREM content 99.5% minimum | 25 kg minimum, 200 kg typical | Powder | DDP North America | Delivery within 30 days | Cash against documents | $/kg |
| Terbium oxide DDP North America | TREM content 99.5% minimum | 25 kg minimum, 50 kg typical | Powder | DDP North America | Delivery within 30 days | Cash against documents | $/kg |
| Samarium oxide DDP North America | TREM content 99.5% minimum | 25 kg minimum, 200 kg typical | Powder | DDP North America | Delivery within 30 days | Cash against documents | $/kg |
The new assessments would be published on Platts Connect, on new fixed pages and in the Platts pricing database.
The assessments would be published on the last business day of each month, following the Platts US holiday calendar and reflecting a 12 pm US ET price assessment timestamp.
Platts invites feedback, comments and questions on this proposal to metalsamericas@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Feb. 13, 2026.
For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.