USA Rare Earth Acquires Minority Stake in French Rare Earth Processor Carester
USA Rare Earth has signed definitive agreements to acquire a strategic minority stake of approximately 13.6% in France-based rare earth processor Carester, alongside InfraVia through its Critical Metals Fund. The investment is expected to be finalized by the third quarter of 2026 and will support Carester's expansion plans for its Caremag facility, which aims to produce significant quantities of neodymium-praseodymium oxide, dysprosium oxide, and terbium oxide starting in late 2026. The partnership allows USA Rare Earth access to Carester’s processing expertise while providing feedstock resources from projects like Serra Verde and Round Top. The transaction will also result in the acquisition of interests held by existing minority shareholders at Carester. CEO Barbara Humpton highlighted that this move enhances USA Rare Earth's integrated value chain, particularly with Carester being one of few non-Chinese facilities capable of heavy rare earth separation starting in 2027. The investment aligns with broader strategic goals as the company also plans to build a large-scale metal and alloy plant at the same location.
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