Highlights

• JS Link advances Georgia plant construction with Governor Kemp's endorsement as Columbus delegation visits Korea facility, targeting 3-5x Yesan capacity to serve US defense and clean-energy supply chains.
• China's new export permit rule (Public Notice No. 61) covers products with >0.1% Chinese-origin materials, prompting US-Australia $3B+ critical minerals alliance and doubling customer inquiries to 80 companies at JS Link.
• NdPr market shows volatility with oxide prices down 10% to $71.57/kg while metal prices surge 11% to $87.22/kg; manufacturers shift toward H/SH magnet grades to reduce heavy rare earth dependence.

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The November 2025 edition of JS Link Newsletter (opens in a new tab) highlights the company’s accelerating expansion into the United States, the rapidly shifting global rare-earth policy landscape, detailed market movements for NdPr oxide and metal, major advances in JS Link’s plant build-out, and an educational “Tech-Talk” on magnet aging. Together, the newsletter paints a picture of a company positioning itself as a strategic, non-Chinese magnet supplier amid escalating geopolitical realignments.

1. U.S. Expansion: Georgia Plant Gains Political and Industrial Momentum

JS Link reports notable progress toward establishing a large-scale permanent magnet manufacturing plant in Columbus, Georgia—a project formally endorsed by the State of Georgia in September. On October 24, JS Link leadership met privately with Governor Brian Kemp (pictured on page 1), who underscored the strategic importance of permanent magnets to advanced manufacturing, defense, and clean-energy supply chains. Kemp signaled strong state-level support and emphasized that JS Link’s U.S. presence will strengthen economic ties between South Korea and the United States.

Just days later, on October 29, Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson led a city delegation to JS Link’s Yesan plant in Korea (page 1 images). The group evaluated JS Link’s production capabilities and expressed confidence in scaling up manufacturing in Columbus—a facility planned to be three to five times larger than Yesan. The city views the forthcoming plant as a keystone asset for national-security-aligned industries and a catalyst for regional economic development.

2. Market Update: NdPr Price Volatility and Demand Softness

Page 2 presents a data-driven breakdown of NdPr oxide and metal monthly average prices. In October 2025:

• NdPr oxide averaged $71.57/kg, down ~10%
• NdPr metal averaged $87.22/kg, up ~11%

The newsletter attributes falling oxide prices to weak market confidence and discounting behavior among metal producers, while demand from magnet manufacturers has slowed due to cautious purchasing and low transaction volume. The visual chart on page 2 illustrates sharp upward movement in metal prices late in the year, contrasted with softening oxide prices—reflecting tightening margins and uncertain sentiment across the supply chain.

3. Global Policy Shifts: China Tightens Controls; U.S.–Australia Deepen Alliance

A major development highlighted is China’s Public Notice No. 61 (2025) requiring export permits not only for Chinese-produced rare earths but also for _any products manufactured abroad containing Chinese-origin materials or processing technologies_—even at concentrations above 0.1%. This significantly expands Beijing’s regulatory reach.

China justifies the rule on national-security grounds, citing concerns over downstream transfers to third countries for sensitive applications. Industry sources warn the measure could escalate, potentially restricting processing know-how, equipment, and technology flows.

The U.S. has responded with rapid diplomatic and industrial moves. President Donald Trump signed a U.S.–Australia joint framework on the secure supply of critical minerals and rare earths, committing more than $3 billion in joint investment over six months. EXIM Bank pledged $2.2 billion, and the U.S. Department of Defense will support new gallium refining capacity in Western Australia. Trump also threatened additional 100% tariffs on Chinese goods should Beijing maintain its export restrictions. The U.S. is simultaneously strengthening ties with Vietnam and other emerging producers to diversify supply routes.

4. Surge in Global Demand for Non-Chinese Magnets

Due to China’s new export-permit regime, JS Link reports a sharp rise in inquiries from global customers eager to secure alternative magnet supply. In just weeks, the number of companies entering supply negotiations doubled to around 80, including major automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and consumer electronics leaders.

Customers are requesting an expanded range of magnet grades—particularly H and SH grades, which reduce reliance on heavy rare earths such as Dy and Tb. Manufacturers are redesigning motors to lower heavy-REE intensity. Meanwhile, JS Link continues preparing for production of higher-coercivity UH-grade magnets, supported by newly delivered Dy oxide from Lynas’ Malaysian refinery (image on page 3). Metalizing work is underway before UH-grade samples enter production.

The newsletter also logs nearly two dozen plant-equipment installations, machining upgrades, and facility renovations—evidence of rapid operational scale-up across Yesan and supporting facilities.

5. Tech-Talk: Understanding Magnet Aging

The final section offers an accessible explanation of why and how permanent magnets lose strength over decades. Factors include natural magnetic creep (1–2% over many years), high temperatures relative to the Curie point, exposure to opposing magnetic fields, corrosion, and physical shock. It also notes methods to preserve magnet strength—stabilization treatments, thermal management, protective coatings, and re-magnetization—and explains the classic horseshoe-magnet “keeper plate” as a method to prevent magnetic flux leakage.

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