Rare-earth elements are small but powerful geopolitical tools, with China using its dominance as a trade bargaining chip. Countries like the U.S. are slowly building alternative supply chains. A key missing step is turning metal oxides into pure metals, says Zach Detweiler of Radify Metals. Current refining methods are effective but highly polluting. Radify is reviving a cleaner, known plasma technique once considered too expensive. Their reactor uses superheated hydrogen plasma to strip oxygen from oxides, leaving pure metal and only water vapor as waste. The startup has raised nearly $3 million. It currently focuses on key rare-earths like dysprosium and samarium for magnets and electronics. Their compact design allows cost savings and flexibility to pivot between different metals, offering resilience against market volatility. Radify aims to produce kilograms per day soon, with a pilot for 100 kilograms daily. Their goal is to match Chinese prices, challenging that dominance. The technology also works on other critical metals for aerospace and electronics, potentially revolutionizing metal production.
