从矿石到“磁王”！究竟是谁掌握了稀土加工的核心科技？

Core Insights - Rare earth elements are considered a strategic asset for China in international resource competition [1] - The U.S. relies on China for rare earth processing, highlighting a significant gap in domestic capabilities [3][6] - China dominates the global rare earth industry, controlling key segments of the supply chain [4][9] Industry Overview - The global rare earth industry consists of 17 metal elements, essential for various high-tech applications [3] - China has developed a complete rare earth industry chain, including exploration, mining, refining, processing, and trade, producing over 400 product types [4][9] - The Mountain Pass mine in California is the only operational rare earth mine in the U.S., currently managed by MP Materials [3] Technological Advancements - China has made significant advancements in rare earth separation technology, moving from reliance on foreign methods to developing its own [5][8] - The introduction of a new extraction theory by Chinese scientists has drastically improved the efficiency and purity of rare earth element separation [5][6] Market Dynamics - The rare earth permanent magnet market is projected to triple by 2035, with China supplying over 90% of the global demand [7][9] - Despite only accounting for 30% of total rare earth production, permanent magnets represent 80% of the market value [7] Historical Context - China became the world's largest rare earth producer in 1986, surpassing the U.S. [6] - The development of the first high-performance neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet in China marked a significant milestone in the industry [8] Competitive Position - China controls 91% of rare earth refining, 87% of oxide separation, and 94% of magnet production globally [9][10] - The lack of rare earth chemistry programs in the U.S. contrasts with China's extensive academic focus on the field [9][10]