As the race to diversify critical mineral supply chains intensifies, Solvay and Viridis Mining and Minerals have signed a Letter of Intent to establish a major rare earth pipeline from Brazil to Europe.
LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE – In a move that significantly strengthens Europe’s position in the global green energy transition, Belgian chemical giant Solvay has announced a strategic partnership with Viridis Mining and Minerals. The Letter of Intent (LoI) outlines a plan to secure a steady supply of Brazilian rare earth materials for Solvay’s La Rochelle processing facility by 2028, aiming to reduce Western reliance on a single-source market.
The collaboration represents a major step toward creating a resilient, “mine-to-magnet” value chain that operates independently of traditional supply hubs. Under the proposed agreement, Viridis—an Australian-listed explorer—will supply critical rare earth feedstocks from its operations in Brazil to Solvay’s flagship plant in France.
A Technological Powerhouse in La Rochelle
Solvay’s La Rochelle facility is uniquely positioned for this partnership. As one of the largest rare earth separation plants outside of China, it remains one of the few sites worldwide capable of processing the full spectrum of rare earth elements at an industrial scale.
“Together, we would be advancing a more diversified and responsible supply of critical materials.”
The partnership is designed to be mutually beneficial: Solvay will provide its renowned separation expertise and proprietary processing technology to help Viridis accelerate the development of its Brazilian feedstock. In return, Solvay secures the raw materials needed to fuel its high-purity oxide production.
These refined oxides are the “building blocks” of modern technology, essential for:
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Motors: High-performance permanent magnets.
- Renewable Energy: Wind turbine generators.
- Defense & Aerospace: Guidance systems and advanced electronics.
- Medical Technology: MRI machines and surgical equipment.
Focus on “Heavy” and “Light” Rare Earths
The feedstock from Viridis is expected to be rich in both light and heavy rare earth elements. Specifically, the supply will focus on Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), the workhorses of the magnet industry, as well as the more elusive heavy rare earths, Dysprosium (Dy) and Terbium (Tb).
Notably, Solvay has set an ambitious internal milestone to achieve industrial-scale separation of Dysprosium and Terbium at the La Rochelle site by September 2026. This technical capability is a rarity outside of Asia and is vital for magnets that can withstand the high temperatures found in EV drivetrains.
Strategic Leadership and Market Ambition
The deal aligns with Solvay’s broader goal to become a cornerstone of the European industrial ecosystem.
“This proposed transaction would mark a significant milestone in strengthening and diversifying our upstream supply chain,” said An Nuyttens, President of Solvay’s Special Chem business. “By partnering with Viridis, we would ensure another reliable source of raw materials that would allow us to maximize our processing capacity and meet the growing global demand for high-purity, sustainably processed rare earth elements.”
Nuyttens further emphasized that Solvay is maintaining its aggressive target of supplying 30% of the European market for magnet-grade rare earths by 2030.
For Viridis, the deal provides a direct route to market through one of the industry’s most respected names. “Partnering with Solvay would allow us to connect our resource base with one of the most advanced rare earth processing platforms globally,” said Rafael Moreno, Managing Director and CEO at Viridis Mining and Minerals. “Together, we would be advancing a more diversified and responsible supply of critical materials.”
Reducing Fragility
The timing of this agreement is critical. As geopolitical tensions continue to influence the flow of technology-grade minerals, Western manufacturers are under pressure to source materials from “friendly” or diverse jurisdictions. By linking Brazilian mineral wealth with French chemical expertise, Solvay and Viridis are not just building a business agreement—they are building a more secure technological future for Europe and beyond.
Both companies are now working toward finalizing a definitive sourcing agreement, with the first deliveries expected to arrive in France within the next four years.
