Phoenix Tailings

When we talk about rare earths and their impact, the conversation usually shifts to China’s dominance. Well, China just took that control a step further. "China tightens export controls on rare earth metals used for chipmaking" is the headline, and here’s why it matters. "China produces 99.9% of the world's dysprosium, primarily at a single refinery in Wuxi, near Shanghai."  China’s dominance isn’t just in mining; it’s deeply rooted in refining capabilities—the critical step that makes these raw materials usable in advanced technologies. Now, with stricter export controls in place, China’s grip on these materials—essential for everything from EVs to national defense—is tighter than ever. Read the full article here. Key takeaways from these developments: 1. New Export Reporting Requirements Effective October 1, 2024, China now mandates detailed reports on how rare earth shipments are used along the supply chain, intensifying scrutiny over exports. Additionally, China classifies rare earth mining and refining information as a state secret, allowing the government tighter control over who accesses these critical resources. 2. Increasing State Ownership of Resources China has also been expanding state ownership in rare earth production, exemplified by Shenghe Resources acquiring an 86% stake in Neo Performance Materials’ Chinese refinery. This purchase solidifies China’s control over dysprosium, a critical component for advanced capacitors and defense technologies. 3. Maintaining a Global Monopoly With near-total dominance in materials like dysprosium, China’s edge is in refining—achieving higher purity and efficiency that Western companies struggle to match. This refining capability is what drives the global rare earth supply chain and gives China an advantage that goes beyond simple extraction. 4. Impact on Global Tech and Defense Industries These new restrictions pose increased challenges for companies reliant on Chinese materials, particularly in semiconductors and defense. Despite diversification efforts from the U.S., Australia, and Belgium, global industries remain heavily dependent on Chinese rare earths, and alternative sources may take years to fully develop. China’s tightening grip on the rare earth supply chain highlights the vulnerabilities within global tech and defense sectors. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the need for diversified, stable sources of critical minerals has never been more urgent. #RareEarths #China #SupplyChain #Semiconductors #Defense #CriticalMinerals #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #CleanTech #Onshoring #RareEarthRefining

Malaysia’s Rare Earth Refining Dilemma: Environmental and Geopolitical Risks This is a great article highlighting some of the recent global news around the growth of the rare earth sector and its impact on nations. Malaysia is at a critical juncture as it seeks to develop its rare earth elements (REE) industry. With 18.2 million tons of reserves valued at $174 billion, the country aims to create a full supply chain, from mining to manufacturing finished products. However, as Malaysia explores partnerships, it faces a tough choice: should it rely on China? As the recent OilPrice article points out, China’s dominance in rare earth refining—controlling 90% of global capacity—poses a challenge. Chinese regulations require rare earths mined by Chinese firms to be refined in China, limiting Malaysia’s ability to diversify trade with the U.S. and other Western countries seeking to break their dependence on China.“Certain countries have limitations… if you use Chinese technology to mine, then maybe there will be limitations [on trade],” said Malaysia’s Natural Resources Minister Nik Nazmi. This highlights Malaysia’s precarious position—caught between partnering with China, which holds most refining expertise, and maintaining flexibility with Western trade partners.By 2030, Malaysia is projected to become the world’s second-largest rare earth refiner with a 12% market share, according to the IEA. However, China’s projected control of 77% of global refining poses significant geopolitical risk. Supply disruptions and environmental concerns remain, as Malaysia contemplates the high environmental cost of refining, a process notorious for its pollution.Malaysia must carefully consider its next moves, weighing the environmental degradation and geopolitical risks that come with relying heavily on China for refining. While the economic benefits of developing the REE industry are clear, the long-term consequences could be severe. Read more in the full article: Malaysia Caught in Rare Earth Tug of War. #RareEarths #Refining #EnergyTransition #Malaysia #EnvironmentalImpact #CriticalMinerals #Sustainability #China #Trade

I couldn’t be more proud of the incredible work our technical team is doing at Phoenix Tailings, especially with the progress we've made in processing heavy rare earth metals—one of the toughest challenges in the industry.

Last week at NY Climate Week, we saw an incredible gathering of people committed to making a real impact on our world. One question I often hear is: What drives the clean energy shift, and why are rare earths so important? The answer lies in the Permanent Magnet Motor (PMM). While batteries store energy, it's the motor that converts that stored energy into motion. To do this efficiently, PMMs use rare earth magnets—specifically made from elements like Neodymium and Dysprosium. These magnets are critical to technologies from electric vehicles to wind turbines. High-Performance Movement Relies on Rare Earth Magnets: Anything requiring high-performance movement depends on rare earth magnets. From smartphones to large industrial machines, rare earth magnets provide the strength, efficiency, and reliability needed for precise movement. Their ability to handle extreme conditions makes them indispensable.These high-performance movements are critical in the energy transition:  In Industrial Equipment & Home Appliances: PMMs are used in industrial machinery and home appliances. From manufacturing robots to refrigerators, these motors reduce energy consumption, improve reliability, and lower operational costs—helping cut energy use and environmental impact.  In Wind Turbines: In wind turbines, the process works in reverse. Wind turns the blades, generating mechanical energy, and the Permanent Magnet Motor converts that energy into electricity, powering homes and industries. PMMs increase efficiency and reliability, crucial for scaling renewable energy.  In Electric Vehicles (EVs): Batteries store the energy that powers EVs, but it’s the Permanent Magnet Motor that converts that energy into motion, driving the vehicle forward. This efficient conversion extends EV range and reduces energy consumption, making PMMs vital for EV adoption.The key takeaway is that Permanent Magnet Motors are the unsung heroes of the energy transition. They may not be as visible as solar panels or batteries, but they’re just as essential—powering the technologies we rely on. From EVs to industrial equipment, PMMs are quietly driving the shift toward a sustainable, energy-efficient future. Batteries store energy, but it’s the Permanent Magnet Motor that brings it to life—with the help of the rare earths we produce at Phoenix Tailings. #PermanentMagnetMotors #EnergyTransition #RareEarths #EVs #RenewableEnergy #SustainableTech #TechInnovation #GreenTech #ClimateWeekNYC

Many people don’t know that we received some of our very first funding from Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) after winning the Wolff New Venture Competition. This was the first time I had the opportunity to present the grand vision we had to a group of people. While $20,000 may not seem like a lot now at our current stage, at the time, it was life-changing. That funding gave us the chance to take the first steps on this incredible journey. In these photos you can see us winning the competition and how far along our tech was back in 2019 (… and yes, I realize I have a bit less hair now). Fast-forward six years, and I’m proud to be back at the competition, this time helping to showcase what we’ve achieved and offering my support to the next generation of visionary founders who want to change the world. If you’re part of the ecosystem, come check it out! Jennifer Mathieu Mike Martin Gary Wolff Gregory Wolff Michelle Cote Alice Nichols Phoenix Tailings Michelle Chao Anthony Balladon Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #WolffNewVenture #TechInnovation

Many people don’t know that we received some of our very first funding from Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) after winning the Wolff New Venture Competition. This was the first time I had the opportunity to present the grand vision we had to a group of people. While $20,000 may not seem like a lot now at our current stage, at the time, it was life-changing. That funding gave us the chance to take the first steps on this incredible journey. In these photos you can see us winning the competition and how far along our tech was back in 2019 (… and yes, I realize I have a bit less hair now). Fast-forward six years, and I’m proud to be back at the competition, this time helping to showcase what we’ve achieved and offering my support to the next generation of visionary founders who want to change the world. If you’re part of the ecosystem, come check it out! Jennifer Mathieu Mike Martin Gary Wolff Gregory Wolff Michelle Cote Alice Nichols Phoenix Tailings Michelle Chao Anthony Balladon Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD #Entrepreneurship #Startups #Innovation #WolffNewVenture #TechInnovation

Rare Earth Metals: The Hidden Backbone of Medical Technology When we talk about rare earths, we often discuss their relevance to the energy transition. With NY Climate Week coming up, we will dive deeper into that. However, just as important is the role of rare earth metals in our healthcare system. From MRI machines to portable X-ray units, rare earth metals such as Neodymium, Terbium, and Dysprosium play a crucial role in the healthcare technologies that save lives every day. Here are a few key ways rare earths power medical innovation: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Neodymium-based magnets are used in MRI machines to create the strong magnetic fields needed for high-resolution imaging, enabling precise diagnosis of conditions such as tumors and neurological disorders. Portable X-ray Machines: Rare earth phosphors, like those derived from Terbium, improve the efficiency of X-ray systems, making portable devices possible and enhancing the quality of medical imaging. Pacemakers & Hearing Aids: The miniaturization and performance of life-saving devices like pacemakers and hearing aids depend on powerful magnets that rare earth metals enable. Their strength allows these devices to be smaller and more efficient without compromising effectiveness. Laser Surgery: Yttrium, one of the rare earth elements, is used in certain lasers for delicate surgeries such as eye and skin procedures, providing doctors with precision tools to treat patients effectively. As the medical field continues to advance, the demand for rare earth metals will only increase. Ensuring sustainable and responsible sourcing of these critical elements is essential not just for the tech world but for healthcare, where lives depend on these technologies. By creating clean rare earth metals, we can significantly improve access to life-saving technologies while reducing the environmental impact of their production. The future of healthcare depends on both innovation and sustainability. #RareEarthMetals #HealthTech #MedTechInnovation #VentureCapital #InvestingInHealthcare #TechInvestments #SustainableTech #FutureOfHealthcare

I have written several posts about the importance of Terbium and Dysprosium. These are the "heavy rare earths" essential for high-performance magnets that power nearly everything in our daily lives. Due to their energy costs and hazardous byproducts, these metals are notoriously hard to refine to the final metallic form. This has resulted in nearly the entire refining supply chain being isolated in China and Russia. Thanks to the hard work of the technical team at Phoenix Tailings, led by Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD, we are proud to be producing these metals right here in Boston, MA! https://lnkd.in/g7nm2A7E #madeinamerica #onshoring #cleanteach #energytransition

Ok, I’ll admit.. this was pretty cool! So glad I was able to give voice to the importance of critical metals for the energy transition. A big thank you to Nicholas Myers , Tomás Villalón Jr., PhD and Anthony Balladon for being on this crazy journey with me! I couldn’t ask for better partners to build Phoenix Tailings with!

You know... I find it odd that when people talk about startups, they never really talk about the people who make this crazy journey worth it. Michelle Chao is one of those bright lights who makes this whole adventure worth it and possible. She works through the toughest challenges and always pushes the people around her to be the best. I could not be more proud of her for representing Phoenix Tailings and the Critical Metals industry to the United States Secretary of Energy, Hon. Jennifer Granholm. No one can better convey the challenges startups face and the need to solve this national security issue. Watch the discussion she had here! Way to go, Michelle! https://lnkd.in/g4brNxXQ #arpae #DOE #Cleantech #EnergyTransition ARPA-E