# The geopolitics of rare earth elements

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2025-04-24
- Length: 32m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements

## Summary

Ahmad Ghahreman, co-founder and CEO of Cyclic Materials, explains the geopolitical dominance of China in the rare earth element (REE) supply chain and the recent escalation of export controls. He details how China controls 90% of processing and 93% of magnet manufacturing, with a near-monopoly on heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium which are critical for high-temperature EV motors. Ghahreman discusses the timeline of Chinese restrictions, from banning technology exports in 2023 to recent controls on oxides, metals, and magnets, and argues that recycling end-of-life products offers a viable path to an ex-China supply chain.

## Chapters

- [2:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements#t=133) Introduction and Rare Earth 101
- [6:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements#t=393) China's Dominance in Mining and Processing
- [10:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements#t=609) Geology and Heavy Rare Earth Scarcity
- [13:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements#t=806) History of Chinese Export Controls and Nationalization
- [18:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements#t=1132) Specifics of Recent Export Controls on Oxides and Magnets
- [26:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-04-24-the-geopolitics-of-rare-earth-elements#t=1566) Building an Ex-China Supply Chain and Recycling

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Cyclic Materials (company)
- MP Materials (company)
- Vacuum Schmitz (company)
- Solvay (company)
- Energy Impact Partners (company)
- Latitude Media (company)
- EnergyHub (company)
- Anza (company)
- dysprosium (other)
- terbium (other)
- neodymium (other)
- praseodymium (other)
- scandium (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Magnets, China & IEEE - Xenomorphic Xerox Xebec](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-10-25-magnets-china-ieee-xenomorphic-xerox-xebec) (The Amp Hour)
- [EMS & The Economist: Geopolitical Factors Shaping the Manufacturing Sector](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-09-14-ems-the-economist-geopolitical-factors-shaping-the-manufacturing-sector) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [China, Entrepreneurs and Blue Collar Reality](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2010-10-27-china-entrepreneurs-and-blue-collar-reality) (The Amp Hour)
- [From the Battlefield to the Supply Chain: A Marine’s Mission to Secure Critical Minerals with Ian Killough, President of Ridgeline Elements](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2025-02-10-from-the-battlefield-to-the-supply-chain-a-marines-mission-to-secure-critical-mi) (Tough Tech Vets)
- [274: The Auto Rescue, Critical Minerals, and Moving Manufacturing Forward with Representative Haley Stevens](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-02-10-274-the-auto-rescue-critical-minerals-and-moving-manufacturing-forward-with-repr) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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