# US Rare Earths Alliance (USAR)

**Type:** Industry consortium / production alliance  
**Domain:** Rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing  
**Status:** Active, production ramp-up phase  

## Overview

US Rare Earths Alliance (USAR) is a consortium targeting domestic US production of NdFeB (neodymium-iron-boron) permanent magnets, addressing the strategic dependency on Chinese rare earth processing and magnet manufacturing. USAR represents the first meaningful attempt to build non-Chinese NdFeB production capacity at scale in the United States.

## Production Targets

- **2029 Target:** 10,000 metric tons per year of NdFeB magnet production
- **Significance:** First meaningful non-China NdFeB production at scale; represents approximately 69% of total projected non-China capacity by 2029 (alongside Japan's ~4,500 tonnes/year)

## Strategic Context

USAR's production timeline reflects the structural constraints in rare earth supply chain diversification:
- Average rare earth mine development: 17.8 years from exploration to production
- Processing capacity gap: Western refining infrastructure 5-10 years behind production targets
- Near-term alternatives limited to existing facilities, stockpiles, and recycling programs

The 2029 target date means there is no meaningful non-Chinese NdFeB production at scale before then, creating a structural constraint window for Western humanoid robot manufacturing, electric vehicle motors, and defense applications through at least 2029.

## Timeline

- **2026-01-27** — Production target announced: 10,000 tonnes/year NdFeB by 2029, representing first US-scale alternative to Chinese magnet supply