Momentum Scales REE Recovery with MSX Demo Plant

CARROLLTON, Texas - Momentum Technologies has begun commercial-scale processing of rare earth element (REE) waste at its Carrollton demonstration plant using its proprietary Membrane Solvent Extraction (MSX) platform.

The process is handling magnet swarf and mining tailings to recover light and heavy REEs such as neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium, producing high-purity streams suitable for permanent-magnet manufacturing. MSX is a modular, decentralized refining approach designed to sit close to feedstock sources, avoiding the capital intensity of centralized mega-plants.

Momentum previously demonstrated MSX for battery metals, achieving yields above 90% and product purities exceeding 99% for nickel, cobalt and lithium. The company says similar economics and scalability apply to REE recovery, converting domestic production waste, end-of-life scrap and tailings into strategic material supplies.

The expansion aligns with U.S. priorities to reduce reliance on Chinese REE imports, which currently supply roughly 80–90% of U.S. needs, despite existing domestic recyclable scrap stocks. Momentum’s development path has involved Department of Energy and Defense partnerships and pilot funding to scale separation of both light and heavy rare earths.

Demand for REE-based magnets is expected to grow substantially by 2040, highlighting the importance of increased recycling and domestic processing capacity.