USA Rare Earth Subsidiary Achieves First Commercial Production of 99.5% Purity Yttrium Metal
USA Rare Earth’s subsidiary LCM achieved its first commercial pour of 2N–2N5 (99–99.5% purity) yttrium metal at its Cheshire, U.K., facility. This milestone makes the company one of the few non-Chinese producers of commercial-grade yttrium, bolstering its aerospace, defense and high-temperature industrial materials supply chain.
1. First Commercial Yttrium Pour
Less Common Metals Ltd. poured the first commercial batch of 2N–2N5 (99–99.5% purity) yttrium metal at its Cheshire facility, marking the company's debut in high-purity yttrium production outside China.
2. Strengthening Non-Chinese Supply
This milestone positions the company among a limited number of non-Chinese producers of commercial-grade yttrium, supplying critical materials for aerospace thermal barrier coatings, defense components and high-temperature industrial applications.
3. Integration and Future Outlook
Combined with planned yttrium extraction at Round Top and existing oxide processing, the company is building a vertically integrated rare earth value chain—spanning mining, processing, metal-making and magnet production—to serve advanced manufacturing and national security sectors.