Neodymium (Nd): Uses, Supply Chain and Market
Facts checked against sources on . How we check facts.
Neodymium is a light rare earth element used in permanent magnets, which USGS says are the leading global use of rare earths. USGS reports production only for all rare earths combined: in 2025 China produced an estimated 270,000 t of rare earth oxide equivalent, 69% of the world total (USGS world total: 390,000 t). US net import reliance for neodymium in 2025 was 67% for rare earth compounds and metals as a group. Neodymium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian.
390,000 t
estimated world production of all rare earths combined in 2025
$73/kg
neodymium oxide, 99.5% minimum, average in 2025 (+30% on 2024)
Which countries produce neodymium?
| Country | 2024 | 2025 (estimate) | Share of 2025 world | Reserves (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 270,000 | 270,000 | 69% | 44,000,000 |
| United States | 45,500 | 51,000 | 13% | 1,900,000 |
| Australia | 29,000 | 29,000 | 7.4% | 6,300,000 |
| Burma | 27,000 | 22,000 | 5.6% | NA |
| All other countries | 12,500 | 17,310 | 4.4% | NA |
| World total (USGS, rounded) | 380,000 | 390,000 | 100% | >75,000,000 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare earths. Shares are calculated from the country figures and can differ by a point or two from percentages USGS states in its text, because USGS rounds its figures. NA means not available; Withheld means USGS withheld the figure to avoid disclosing company data. USGS reports mine production only for all rare earths combined (as rare earth oxide equivalent), not for individual elements.
What is neodymium used for?
- Permanent magnets: USGS says the leading global use of rare earths is magnets; neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium and praseodymium alloys have revolutionized permanent magnet technology (USGS, 2002)
- Miniaturized electronics and vehicles: rare earth magnets allow small, lightweight, high-strength components in appliances, audio and video equipment, computers, automobiles, communications systems and military gear (USGS, 2002)
How much does neodymium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of neodymium at $73/kg (neodymium oxide, 99.5% minimum, average; +30% on 2024). EarthRarest, our sister business, lists Nd2O3 min. 99.0% / TREO at $182.93/kg. Full neodymium price page.
Is neodymium a critical mineral?
Neodymium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian. Each government builds its list with its own method, so a mineral can be critical in one place and not in another.
| Jurisdiction | Status |
|---|---|
| United States | Critical mineral (final 2025 list) |
| European Union | Critical and strategic |
| Australia | Critical minerals list |
| Canada | Critical (priority) |
Lists last checked against the primary publications on October 12, 2026. See the comparison of all four lists.
What are the substitutes for neodymium?
| Application | Substitute and trade-off |
|---|---|
| Most applications | USGS says substitutes for rare earths are available for many applications but generally are less effective |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare earths. USGS says substitutes often cost performance or money; the table gives its wording for each application.
Can neodymium be recycled?
Limited quantities of rare earths were recovered from batteries, permanent magnets and fluorescent lamps.
What are the supply risks and recent events for neodymium?
- 2025. The average neodymium oxide price rose 30% from $56 to $73 per kilogram. USGS estimates that US imports of rare earth compounds and metals rose 169% in 2025 while their estimated value fell to $165 million from $168 million, reflecting a shift toward lower-value products.
- 2025. USGS does not list this element among those named in China's 2025 rare earth export control measures.
Resources. USGS notes that in most rare earth deposits lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium make up 80% to 99% of the total (2002).
Which companies produce or process neodymium?
| Company | Country | Role | What the source says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynas Rare Earths | Australia and Malaysia | Rare earth miner and separator, producing NdPr oxide (ASX: LYC) | Its 2026 annual report gives NdPr oxide production of 7,260 tonnes in FY26 (6,558 in FY25), with a record in the second half, and NdPr sales of 7,337 tonnes. A March 2026 agreement with Japan Australia Rare Earths B.V. includes firm offtake of 5,000 tonnes a year of NdPr at a US$110 per kilogram floor price. Lynas Rare Earths: 2026 Annual Report and Appendix 4E (26 August 2026) |
| MP Materials | United States | Rare earth miner and refiner at Mountain Pass, and magnet maker (NYSE: MP) | Its second-quarter 2026 results give NdPr oxide production of 840 tonnes in the quarter (up 41%) and NdPr oxide sales of 1,006 tonnes against 443 a year earlier, with price protection agreement income of $17.6 million in the quarter, and say its Magnetics segment began making NdFeB magnets in December 2025. MP Materials: second quarter 2026 results (6 August 2026) |
| Energy Fuels | United States | Uranium and rare earth producer (NYSE American: UUUU) | Its 10-Q for the quarter to 30 June 2026 says the White Mesa Mill has advanced separation capabilities for light and heavy separated oxides, has produced separated NdPr at commercial scale, and expects monazite from the company's own projects to provide feed. The part of the filing read gives no tonnage. Energy Fuels, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 |
| Iluka Resources | Australia | Developer of the Eneabba rare earth refinery (ASX: ILU) | Its August 2026 half-year presentation gives the Eneabba refinery 5,500 tonnes a year of NdPr oxide capacity within 23,000 tonnes a year of total rare earth oxide, with construction 60% complete and commissioning in 2027. Iluka Resources: 2026 half year results presentation (19 August 2026) |
| Neo Performance Materials | Canada (Silmet plant in Estonia; magnet plant planned in Narva) | Neodymium oxide supplier to its magnet powder business, and magnet maker (TSX: NEO) | Its annual information form for 2024 says the main material Magnequench's Korat, Thailand operation sources from the Silmet plant is neodymium oxide, converted to metal under a toll processing agreement, and that a sintered magnet plant then under construction at Narva, Estonia would start with 2,000 tonnes a year of capacity. Neo Performance Materials: annual information form for 2024 (18 March 2025) |
| China Northern Rare Earth | China | Rare earth producer (SSE: 600111) | Its 2025 annual report, in Chinese, lists neodymium metal and praseodymium-neodymium metal among its main products, both for magnetic materials, and says it developed the market for praseodymium-neodymium products and raised the share of retail sales. China Northern Rare Earth: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (17 April 2026) |
| Solvay | France (La Rochelle) | Rare earth separator | Its roadshow presentation after first-quarter 2026 results lists Nd-Pr for permanent magnets from April 2025 among the La Rochelle developments, with capacity to capture up to 30% of European permanent magnet demand and total investment of EUR 50 million to EUR 100 million for the full project. Solvay: roadshow presentation after first-quarter 2026 results |
Each row links to the document that supports it. The list is not exhaustive and is not a ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is neodymium used for?
Neodymium is used in permanent magnets and miniaturized electronics and vehicles. Permanent magnets: USGS says the leading global use of rare earths is magnets; neodymium, samarium, gadolinium, dysprosium and praseodymium alloys have revolutionized permanent magnet technology (USGS, 2002).
Which country produces the most neodymium?
USGS does not report neodymium separately; China produced the most rare earths of any country in 2025, an estimated 270,000 t (69%) of the world's 390,000 t of rare earth oxide equivalent.
Is neodymium a critical mineral?
Yes. Neodymium is on all four official critical minerals lists: the US, EU, Australian and Canadian. Neodymium was already on the 2022 US list and stays on the final 2025 list of 60 minerals. US net import reliance for neodymium in 2025 was 67% for rare earth compounds and metals as a group.
How much does neodymium cost?
USGS reports the average 2025 price of neodymium at $73/kg (neodymium oxide, 99.5% minimum, average; +30% on 2024). EarthRarest, our sister business, lists Nd2O3 min. 99.0% / TREO at $182.93/kg (25 kg oxide drums), read on October 14, 2026; a dealer list price covers one grade and pack size and is not a market benchmark.
Sources
Read on October 14, 2026. Figures on this page come from these documents; where a number is an estimate, the source says so.
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Rare earths. Production, reserves, uses, substitutes, recycling and events
- USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: introduction (Table 7 and Figures 10A and 10B). Net import reliance, leading producer and price changes for critical minerals
- USGS Fact Sheet 087-02: Rare Earth Elements, Critical Resources for High Technology (2002). Used for the uses of individual elements; it dates from 2002
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1252, Annex I. Lists neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, dysprosium, gadolinium, samarium and cerium as rare earths for permanent magnets
- Federal Register: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2024/1252
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Australia’s Critical Minerals List and Strategic Materials List
- Government of Canada: Canada’s critical minerals
- EarthRarest price list. Dealer list price, read October 14, 2026; our sister business
- Lynas Rare Earths: 2026 Annual Report and Appendix 4E (26 August 2026)
- MP Materials: second quarter 2026 results (6 August 2026)
- Energy Fuels, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026
- Iluka Resources: 2026 half year results presentation (19 August 2026)
- Neo Performance Materials: annual information form for 2024 (18 March 2025)
- China Northern Rare Earth: 2025 annual report, in Chinese (17 April 2026)
- Solvay: roadshow presentation after first-quarter 2026 results
Related topics
Neodymium price
The price page for neodymium.
China profile
Production, policy and projects in China.
Critical Minerals Lists Compared
The US, EU, Australian and Canadian lists side by side.
Export Controls and Restrictions
China, Indonesia, DR Congo and other measures with dates.
The 17 Rare Earth Elements
Every rare earth with its group, price and control status.
Cerium
Profile of cerium.
