China Rare Earth Sector Names Cerium Magnets, New Heavy-REE Discovery Among Top 2026 Science Awards

Highlights

• China's 2026 Rare Earth Science and Technology Awards named 56 proposed winners across three Grand Prizes, 16 First Prizes, and 37 Second Prizes, with public comment open through October 13.
• Antai Technology's full-process intelligent manufacturing of cerium magnets won a Grand Prize, signaling China's push to commercialize lower-cost alternatives to neodymium-based magnets.
• A 'super-large' medium- and heavy-rare-earth deposit discovered in Honghe, Yunnan was recognized, confirming the project's inclusion in the 2026 awards cycle.
• China placed cerium-magnet manufacturing technology under export controls in October 2025, even as it advances domestic production capabilities.
• Awards span the entire supply chain—geology, beneficiation, magnets, recycling, and advanced applications—reflecting China's coordinated rare-earth innovation strategy.