California-based Maglut Heavy Industries has announced the public launch of its chromatography-based platform designed to process and refine rare earth elements (REEs) in the US.

The company revealed its technology at a closed event at its headquarters in Long Beach, where it gave the first look at ARC-1, its proprietary rare earth separation system.

REEs are integral inputs for semiconductors, energy infrastructure, defence equipment and a wide range of modern technologies.

Despite this, domestic capacity for separation and processing of these materials in the US remains limited, said the company.

Maglut has developed a water-based process inspired by biotechnology techniques used to purify biologic medicines.

The method is intended as an alternative to the solvent extraction process, which is both labour and energy-intensive.

According to Maglut, its chromatography platform is designed to achieve competitive costs and aims to secure social acceptance.

The company reports that it has tested its ARC-1 process at pilot scale, separating rare earth feedstock into individual oxides with purities of 99.9% and above.

Maglut co-founder and CEO Curtis Wu said: “Rare earth processing is one of the clearest examples of a sovereign capability America let atrophy.

“The countries that control access to critical minerals will shape the next era of technology. Our mission is to rebuild domestic manufacturing of rare earth materials by reimagining the way they are processed.”

The timing of Maglut’s launch coincides with increased attention on rare earth supply chains, the company said.

New regulations set to take effect in January 2027 will require US defence contractors to remove Chinese sources from their rare earth magnet supply chains.

Recent advances in chromatography, along with rising rare earth prices, have created opportunities for alternative processing technologies.