On August 20, 2026, Focus online reported on progress in developing alternative rare earth supply chains outside China. The article focuses on U.S. producer Energy Fuels, whose terbium oxide has qualified for further processing into rare earth permanent magnets in Japan. It places this development in the context of China’s continued dominance of the market and draws on current export data from TRADIUM. Brian Hendrich, Market Analyst at TRADIUM, explains why the recent increase in terbium exports should not be interpreted as a broader easing of supply constraints. He points to the fact that shipments remain heavily concentrated in a small number of countries.
