#United States #Ramaco Resources #Norcross, Georgia #Mulberry Industries #Rare Earth Supply

Mulberry Industries and Ramaco Resources Join Forces

In a significant move for the American manufacturing landscape, Mulberry Industries, a vertical manufacturer based in Georgia, and Ramaco Resources, an operator of the Brook Mine in Wyoming, have announced their collaboration through a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU). This agreement primarily aims to enhance the domestic supply chain for rare earth elements and permanent magnets.

Strengthening the Supply Chain

Under the terms of this MOU, Ramaco is set to negotiate an agreement that allows Mulberry to receive customized oxide blends that include essential rare earth elements such as samarium, neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr), yttrium, gallium, and dysprosium-terbium (Dy/Tb). These materials will be instrumental for Mulberry as they work to support and expand their existing ten-year stockpile of rare earth materials, which are vital for manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets.

Kevin Feng, CEO of Mulberry Industries, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration diversifies our rare earth sourcing, enabling us to accelerate our growth while ensuring long-term supply chain autonomy for our customers.” He emphasized the goal of creating a secure supply chain independent of foreign sources, particularly China, thereby promoting national and economic security.

Operational Synergies

Mulberry Industries is recognized as one of the few end-to-end producers of advanced magnets in the Western Hemisphere. Their production includes specialized neodymium-iron (NdFeB), samarium-cobalt (SmCo), and aluminum-nickel-cobalt (AlNiCo) magnets, crucial for industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, and robotics. For context, a single F-35 fighter jet relies upon approximately 50 pounds of samarium-cobalt magnets for its critical flight control and targeting systems.

The operational efficiencies at Mulberry Industries are notable, as their end-to-end production processes are claimed to be 60% more efficient than those of their industry competitors. This enhanced efficiency is largely attributed to Mulberry's proprietary fifth-generation Grain Boundary Diffusion (GBD) technology, which minimizes the use of costly heavy rare earth elements, thus resulting in lighter yet more powerful magnets.

Ramaco Resources and the Brook Mine

On the other hand, Ramaco Resources is making strides at its Brook Mine, the first new rare earth and critical mineral mine in the U.S. in over seven decades. With mining activities initiated earlier this year and a pilot production facility currently under construction, Ramaco is positioning itself to deliver reliable domestic sources of rare earth compounds tailored to Mulberry’s manufacturing processes.

Randall Atkins, the Chairman and CEO of Ramaco Resources, expressed pride in the collaboration, underscoring the importance of developing a resilient domestic supply chain that substantially reduces the reliance on international suppliers. He stated, “Together, we seek to build a durable, transparent supply chain that helps U.S. innovators scale with confidence for the decade ahead.”

Future Implications

The implications of this partnership extend beyond just business; they encompass a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering America’s economic landscape and security. Currently, the U.S. relies significantly on China for rare earth mineral extraction and processing, with China controlling over 90% of the global supply chain related to these critical materials.

Both companies are now committed to ensuring that as they forge ahead, they can rely on a stable and sustainable supply chain that is rooted within U.S. borders. This not only serves the needs of their businesses but also contributes to the larger goal of national independence in the field of critical minerals.

In conclusion, this collaboration between Mulberry Industries and Ramaco Resources marks a pivotal point in the evolution of the U.S. supply chain for rare earth materials, setting the stage for more resilient and competitive manufacturing in the years to come.