Ucore's RapidSX Technology Positioned as Key Solution Amid China's Rare-Earth Export Controls

China's Ministry of Commerce announced this month that it is expanding export controls over key rare-earth elements and related processing equipment, marking a strategic tightening of Beijing's dominance in the global minerals landscape. This development has created significant implications for Western nations dependent on Chinese rare-earth supplies, particularly for defense and technology applications where these critical minerals are essential components.

In response to this market disruption, Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is accelerating its efforts to build an independent Western supply chain through its patented RapidSX(TM) separation technology. The company's positioning as a key enabler of Western supply-chain sovereignty comes at a critical juncture as nations seek alternatives to Chinese-controlled rare-earth processing capacity. The strategic importance of this initiative is underscored by the $18.4 million funding agreement Ucore announced with the U.S. Department of Defense in May 2025 to scale its RapidSX rare-earth separation technology toward commercial production.

The funding supports development at Ucore's Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, where the company aims to establish commercial-scale rare-earth separation capabilities. This domestic manufacturing approach aligns with broader Western efforts to build resilience in critical minerals supply chains by sourcing from allied feedstock jurisdictions and avoiding reliance on Chinese equipment and processing technology. The Louisiana facility represents a significant step toward reducing Western dependence on Chinese rare-earth processing, which currently dominates global production.

Ucore has also taken strategic steps to secure rare-earth feedstock and expand partnerships, recognizing that refining capacity rather than mining represents the primary choke point in the rare-earth supply chain. The company's comprehensive approach addresses the full spectrum of challenges in establishing an independent rare-earth ecosystem, from raw material sourcing through advanced separation technology to final product manufacturing. Additional information about Ucore's initiatives and technology can be found at https://www.Ucore.com while updates relating to the company's progress are available at https://ibn.fm/UURAF.

The timing of Ucore's expansion coincides with increasing geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities highlighted by China's export control measures. Rare earth elements are critical components in numerous advanced technologies including electric vehicles, wind turbines, consumer electronics, and defense systems. The establishment of Western processing capabilities through technologies like RapidSX could significantly alter global supply dynamics and reduce strategic vulnerabilities for North American and European manufacturers dependent on these essential materials.