The first half of 2025 marked a turning point for praseodymium-neodymium (Pr-Nd) alloy, as prices moved off their multi-year lows amid shifting global dynamics. A combination of tighter Chinese supply controls, rising industrial demand, and geopolitical uncertainty created a more balanced market after prolonged oversupply.
China’s continued grip on rare earth refining, along with slower quota expansions and stricter environmental policies, limited alloy availability. At the same time, usage of NdFeB magnets in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics remained on an upward trend, pushing demand higher. Government subsidies in China and other markets further encouraged clean tech adoption, contributing to stronger consumption of magnetic alloys.
Concerns over supply security also played a role. Western countries accelerated efforts to develop rare earth projects, like Eclipse Metals’ large resource in Greenland, but these remained in early stages and had no immediate impact on market flows. China’s brief export restrictions only added to near-term supply worries.