Solvay today announced that it has signed a long-term supply agreement withViridisMining and Minerals for the strategic supply of rare earth feedstock, following the Letter of Intent announced in June 2026. The agreement strengthens and diversifies Solvay's access to critical supply for its rare earth operations in La Rochelle, France, with shipments expected to start in 2028.
Under the agreement, which has an initial term through 2034, Viridis will supply a mixed rare earth feedstock from its Colossus project in Brazil to Solvay's La Rochelle facility. Under a separately contemplated agreement, Solvay will license technology and provide technical support to Viridis to produce upgraded, premium carbonate from their Colossus project in Brazil to supply La Rochelle.
The feedstock includes key rare earths for permanent magnets, notably neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb), supporting increasing global demand. It also contains an important distribution of additional heavy rare earths, such as samarium (Sm), gadolinium (Gd) and yttrium (Y). Minimum committed volumes for the magnetic rare earths of Nd, Pr, Dy and Tb represent approximately 70% of the anticipated production capacity of the Colossus project during the initial term, where Solvay also holds the right of first offer on the remaining production.
Solvay's La Rochelle site is one of the largest rare earth separation and purification facilities outside China and is capable of processing thefull range of rare earth elements at industrial scale. Solvay will apply its separation, purification and product development expertise to transform the material into individual, high-purity rare earth oxides and formulations used in permanent magnets and other strategic applications, including electric mobility, renewable energy, advanced electronics and medical applications.