Critical Minerals Factbook
Facility

Solvay La Rochelle

Solvay's long-operating rare earths plant at La Rochelle, France (founded 1948, 40-hectare Chef de Baie site, over 300 employees), described by Solvay as the biggest plant outside China capable of separating all rare earth materials. On 8 April 2025 Solvay inaugurated a new production line for permanent magnet rare earths and began commercial production, targeting 30% of European demand by 2030. La Rochelle is one of the three sites named in the May 2026 French national rare earths plan. This facility is not an EU CRMA Strategic Project in the sources reviewed.

Facts on this page last re-verified Aug 11, 2026 — the oldest verification date among its current claims. How we verify.

Location: La Rochelle, Charente-Maritime, France

Separation

Rare earths for permanent magnets production line (inaugurated April 2025)

Operating

Rare earth separation and formulation at a plant operating since 1948; new production line for permanent magnet rare earth materials inaugurated 8 April 2025, with a process upgrade targeting 40% lower CO2 emissions and halved water consumption by 2030

Material flow

Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate → NdPr Oxide

Capacity

No capacity claim. Absence of a figure means no source publishes one.

Qualification

No qualification claim. Status does not imply qualified output.

Sources