ReElement Technologies Signs MOU with POSCO International to Bolster Rare Earth Supply Chain and Build Integrated U.S. Production Complex

FISHERS, IN / ACCESS Newswire / September 18, 2025 / American Resources Corporation's (NASDAQ:AREC) portfolio company, ReElement Technologies ("ReElement"), a leading U.S. innovator in rare earth element (REE) and critical mineral refining, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with POSCO International Corporation ("POSCO International" or "POSCO"), a global leader in steel, magnetic materials, and advanced industrial solutions. The agreement aims to strengthen the rare-earth supply chain and explore cooperation on establishing an integrated rare-earth and permanent-magnet production complex in the United States.

The signing ceremony, held at the POSCO Center in Seoul, was attended by Kye-In Lee, President & CEO of POSCO International; Mark Jensen, CEO of ReElement Technologies; Na Sung-hwa, Director General for Industrial Supply Chain Policy; and Joseph Yun, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Korea.

The planned Integrated Rare Earth and Permanent Magnet Production Complex would be the first U.S. facility to achieve full vertical integration of rare-earth and permanent-magnet production within an integrated industrial complex. It is designed to manage every stage-from securing rare-earth raw materials and conducting separation and refining, to manufacturing permanent magnets and recycling manufacturing scrap and end-of-life magnets-all within one facility.

Under the partnership, POSCO International will oversee sourcing of rare-earth intermediate materials and the permanent-magnet business, while ReElement will provide advanced separation, refining, and recycling technology. The governments of Korea and the United States also discussed potential policy, financial, and regulatory support should the project move into full-scale implementation.

Currently, the global rare-earth supply chain relies heavily on a limited number of countries. Because rare-earth elements are indispensable for industries such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, and wind power, this concentration poses geopolitical risks and supply-chain uncertainties that threaten global industrial stability.

This collaboration seeks to diversify and de-risk supply chains, mitigating such risks and creating a foundation for flexible responses to changes in demand. By securing a more stable supply of rare-earth raw materials and strengthening permanent-magnet production capabilities, the initiative will enable long-term, stable, and flexible delivery of critical materials to automakers worldwide.