Bringing state-of-the-art research to rare-earth element industry

The Rare Earth Industry Association (REIA) is pleased to announce its formation, as a new global association for rare-earth industry stakeholders. The association was launched with the support of EIT RawMaterials, worlds’ largest knowledge and innovation community in the raw materials sector, initiated and funded by the EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), a body of the EU.

The establishment of REIA comes at a crucial time of trade frictions, which threatens to impact the global rare-earths value chain. Other factors such as the unprecedented growth of new markets for new-energy technologies increasingly put the rare-earths industry in the spotlight.

The formation of REIA is most timely. We are delighted that the 12 founding members of REIA, representing the full range of industry stakeholders, have come together in this way.

Dr Nabeel Mancheri, an economist with over 10 years of experience in the rare-earths sector, and newly appointed Secretary General of the association

The 12 founding members of REIA are Grundfos (Denmark), Fujian Changting Golden Dragon Rare-Earth Co., Ltd. (China), Brugger Magnet Systems (Germany), B&C Speakers (Italy), JL Mag Europe (the Netherlands), Material Trading Company (Japan), Japan Society of Newer Metals, Talaxis (Singapore); Mkango Resources (UK); RockLink (Germany), Institute of Urban Environment (China) and Carester (France).

During REIA’s first General Assembly of its members, held in Brussels earlier this week, representatives of each of the founder members were appointed to the association’s Board of Directors. Dr Badrinath Veluri of Grundfos was elected by the General Assembly as inaugural President of REIA; Myriam El Kara of Talaxisand Shimizu Kotaro of the Japan Society of Newer Metals were elected as Vice-Presidents. Rob Koppelmans of JL Mag Europe was elected as Treasurer. Each officer will hold their positions for the next three years.

Joining Dr Mancherion the management team for REIA are Gwendolyn Bailey, a rare-earths scientist as a sustainability advisor, and Elbert Loois, a critical raw-materials expert and chairman of the initial project advisory board, as management advisor. An Advisory Board was also created to support the association.

The priorities of REIA are to ensure market transparency and sustainability for the rare-earths sector, through the development of a well-connected global stakeholder network. Our members will work collaboratively on a conjoined and coherent approach towards raw-materials policies and issues. We look forward to welcoming additional members to the association.

Dr Badrinath Veluri, President of REIA

About the Rare Earth Industry Association (REIA)

REIA is a Brussels based international association that provides a unique stakeholder platform to mitigate business risks in the rare earth value chain. The association represents the interests of its united value chain participants, by stakeholder networking, project research or sustainable sourcing. REIA works as a guiding partner for its members in understanding rare-earths-related environmental and technological trends as well as market dynamics.

For more information, please visit gloreia.org