ERI and ReElement Technologies Corp., a portfolio company of American Resources Corp., have entered a strategic partnership to recover and refine rare earth elements from end-of-life electronics. The agreement comes at a time of rising global demand for rare earths and growing policy focus on domestic mineral independence. Fresno-based ERI operates one of the largest electronics recycling and ITAD networks in the United States, with additional sites in Arizona, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas and Washington. Chairman and CEO John Shegerian says the company’s Fresno and Plainfield operations are the first to aggregate and ship material to ReElement. Early output consists of smart watches, earbuds, speakers and smaller hard drives. Volumes will increase as both companies scale.
ERI is preparing and sorting material by product type according to ReElement’s specifications. ReElement is constructing a 400,000 square foot refining facility in Marion, Indiana, scheduled to begin operations in early 2026.
Scaling ReElement’s refining platform
ReElement, headquartered in Fishers, Indiana, already operates a commercial qualification facility in Noblesville that measures 700 square meters. The site produces rare earth oxides and critical battery elements. CEO Mark Jensen says the new Marion facility will become the largest rare earth oxide producer in the United States, with capacity to refine 9000 metric tons annually from recycled inputs and virgin ores.
Jensen says the company can process all material supplied by ERI. The partners are assessing optimal breakdown steps and cost efficiencies, while also exploring expansion of their collaboration into Japan, the Emirates, India and Canada. Currently an estimated 95% to 98% of rare earth elements end up in landfills.
Aligning long-term strategies
Shegerian says ERI has evaluated many potential partners over the years, but ReElement stood out due to proven technology, funding and cultural alignment. ERI has long-term US and international partnerships, while ReElement collaborates with companies including Posco International and Vulcan Elements. ReElement describes ERI as a trusted, world-class aggregator for leading US technology companies and hyperscalers. Pairing ERI’s feedstock with ReElement’s refining capabilities aims to accelerate circularity for critical minerals.
Chromatography as a competitive advantage
ReElement processes end-of-life magnets into an aqueous solution and uses chromatography for separation and purification. This technique replaces traditional hydrometallurgical or solvent extraction processes. ReElement’s patented approach can purify materials on an isolated or mixed basis through densely packed resin columns tailored to specific separations.
Driving down costs through cooperation
Jensen says collaboration is essential to reduce costs in the emerging rare earth recycling market. He emphasises working with best-in-class partners rather than competing with them. The partnership supports efforts to build a circular and secure US supply chain for rare earths. Earlier this month, ReElement benefited from a €1.4 billion joint partnership with the US Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital, including loans of €620 million to Vulcan Elements and € 80 million to ReElement, matched by private capital.
Shegerian says the Trump administration, along with Japan and Canada, is focused on reducing dependence on China for critical minerals vital to AI, data centres and electric vehicles. He says the timing of the partnership is ideal and that ReElement’s technology will drive a new wave of US-based rare earth capabilities with global impact.
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