Less Common Metals to establish €110M facility in France to support EU rare earth supply chains
May 28, 2025
Less Common Metals (LCM), headquartered in Ellesmere Port, UK, has announced plans to invest €110 million in developing a production facility in France for light and heavy rare earth metals and alloys. The company stated that Lacq is currently being considered as the location for the plant, with a final decision due shortly.
This move is anticipated to create up to 140 highly skilled jobs and support the development of a more robust, resilient rare earth supply chain.
LCM has more than thirty years of experience in the rare earth industry and holds a unique position as one of the few non-Chinese producers of rare earth metals and alloys. It plays a crucial role in the midstream of the rare earth supply chain, providing essential materials for permanent magnets used in various applications.
The company is involved in a wide range of European and UK-funded projects that drive innovation in product and process development. These collaborative projects are said to position LCM at the forefront of emerging technologies and reinforce the company’s ongoing contribution to the European academic, research, and development landscape.
“Choosing France for this strategic expansion marks an important milestone in our mission to develop a robust and complementary rare earth supply chain for the Western World,” stated Grant Smith, Chairman of Less Common Metals.
“With over three decades of experience in rare earth metals and alloys, LCM is committed to deepening our partnerships across Europe and reinforcing regional supply chain resilience. France’s strong support, robust industrial base, collaborative research environment, and strategic positioning within Europe align closely with our vision to invest in critical materials development and build alternative supply chains,” continued Smith.
www.lesscommonmetals.com
