Highlights

• Chinese rare earth company Tianjiao Qingmei defies market downturn with a 128% export surge and new product development.
• Company strategically expands into U.S., European, and Southeast Asian markets through technology-driven collaboration.
• Focuses on high-precision polishing materials for critical tech sectors like semiconductors, data storage, and optical components.

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In the first half of 2025, despite sluggish global demand, China’s Tianjiao Qingmei (opens in a new tab) defied the market downturn—securing orders, customizing five new lanthanum-cerium products, and winning 16 new domestic clients. Sales of its precision optical nano-polishing fluid moved into full-scale production, lifting overall sales across the board. Export volumes surged an impressive 128% year-on-year, setting a solid foundation for hitting full-year targets.

The company’s push is powered by an urgent market shift: the boom in cloud storage, hyperscale data centers, edge computing, and real-time services is driving demand for ultra-high-density storage media. Leveraging deep technical expertise, Tianjiao Qingmei worked in close, iterative collaboration with customers—from prototype co-development to dynamic testing feedback loops—accelerating supply timelines and delivering customized, high-precision grinding solutions for advanced manufacturing.

International expansion has accelerated. Tianjiao Qingmei formed overseas “sales + technology + production” task forces, integrating domestic and foreign labs to align R&D and manufacturing. Breakthrough gains were reported in Southeast Asia and newly targeted European and U.S. markets. In the glass substrate segment, the company deepened cooperation with Japan’s AGC Seimi Chemical Co., jointly targeting key accounts and achieving shared wins. Its new product lines posted standout sales in Southeast Asia, boosting brand visibility and strengthening its international profile.

Looking ahead, Tianjiao Qingmei will intensify R&D investment, speed breakthroughs in core technologies, and translate lab advances into market-ready products. It plans to tailor high-value, application-specific offerings that match evolving industry trends—reinforcing its role as a core contributor to Northern Rare Earth’s “two rare earth bases” strategy.

Why This Matters for the West/USA

Rare Earth Supply Chain Competition

Tianjiao Qingmei’s rapid product innovation and global sales surge, especially in high-spec polishing materials and glass substrates, targets sectors critical to U.S. tech and defense manufacturing (e.g., semiconductors, optics, data storage).

Market Penetration in U.S. & Europe

The reported “breakthroughs” in Western markets suggest direct competition with U.S. and EU suppliers in niche, high-margin applications.

Strategic Partnerships with Japanese Industry

The AGC tie-up strengthens China–Japan industrial cooperation in advanced materials, potentially tightening Asia’s grip on critical technology inputs.

Technology-Driven Export Growth

A 128% export jump despite weak global demand signals that Chinese rare earth firms are not just price players—they are climbing the value chain, which could challenge Western reshoring ambitions.

Company Profile

Tianjiao Qingmei is officially known as Baotou Tianjiao Qingmei Rare Earth Polishing Powder Co., Ltd., established on December 29, 1995. It operates as a high-tech enterprise specializing in rare-earth polishing materials.

Ownership is split between Northern Rare Earth (Group) High‑Tech Co., Ltd., holding 65%, and AGC Seimi Chemical Co., Ltd. of Japan, holding 35%—confirming it is indeed part of the broader Baotou/Northern Rare Earth ecosystem, rather than Baotou Steel or unrelated groups.

What They Produce

The company develops and manufactures rare-earth polishing powders that are widely used in applications such as:

• LCD glass substrates
• Hard disk glass substrates
• Smartphone cover glass
• Precision optical components
• Photomasks and decorative items

Scale & Capabilities

According to industry sources, Tianjiao Qingmei’s production lines are now intelligent, green, and among the industry’s most advanced. After recent expansions, they can produce five series and over 40 different specifications of polishing powders, covering low, mid, and high-end segments across the full product range.

Additionally, the completion and ramp-up of their TE-series polishing powder production line has further enhanced their product portfolio and market competitiveness.

Source: China Northern Rare Earth Group (opens in a new tab)