Cyclic Materials Invests $25M in Rare Earth Recycling Hub in Canada

Cyclic Materials

Kingston Facility to Anchor Commercial-Scale Magnet Recycling in North America

Cyclic Materials will open a $25 million rare earths recycling plant and research center in Kingston, Ontario, by early 2026. The Canadian firm, backed by Amazon and Microsoft, is scaling up its proprietary technology to recover critical elements from magnet-rich waste. The facility will be the company’s first commercial-scale “Hub,” capable of processing 500 tonnes of feedstock annually.

rMREO Output Targets Growing Demand for Clean Energy and Electronics

The Kingston Centre of Excellence will produce recycled Mixed Rare Earth Oxide (rMREO), containing high-value elements like neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium. These rare earths are vital to permanent magnets in electric vehicle (EV) motors, wind turbines, and data center hardware. Cyclic’s process sources these materials from end-of-life products including HDDs and wind turbine generators.

This facility builds on earlier success from a government-funded demonstration plant and a second pilot line in Kingston. By leveraging urban mining and closed-loop recovery, Cyclic offers a sustainable alternative to traditional rare earth extraction, which often involves high environmental costs.

Circular Innovation Gains Strategic Weight Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

CEO Ahmad Ghahreman emphasized that Cyclic’s mission is to “secure the most critical elements of the energy transition through circular innovation.” With China's rare earth dominance and recent U.S.–China supply negotiations in flux, Western governments and industries are accelerating efforts to localize supply chains.

The Kingston plant will be complemented by a new facility in Mesa, Arizona, set to begin operations in early 2026. This binational presence positions Cyclic as a rare earth recycling leader across North America, responding directly to market demand and geopolitical risks.

ScrapInsight Editorial Commentary

Cyclic’s $25M Kingston expansion signals a turning point for rare earth recycling in the Western Hemisphere. As OEMs face pressure to decarbonize supply chains and reduce China dependency, circular recovery methods like Cyclic’s will gain prominence. Policymakers should align permitting, tax, and procurement frameworks to accelerate such innovations at scale.