Solvay approves €15-20M to separate dysprosium and terbium at La Rochelle from autumn 2026

Solvay/La Rochelle rare earth separation

With its second-quarter 2026 results, Solvay said it approved €15-20M of investment to expand rare earth separation at La Rochelle and will start industrial-scale separation of the heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium in autumn 2026. These two elements are added to neodymium magnets so they keep their strength when hot, as in EV motors.

• Builds on NdPr production at the site since April 2025.
• The start date moved from the September 2026 target given in June to a looser autumn 2026.
• Q2 2026 group underlying net sales were €1,031M, down 7.4% organically.