Rare Earth Filtration Solutions for Critical Mineral Processing
Why Rare Earth Filtration is More Strategic Than Ever
The Rising Strategic Value of Rare Earths
Rare earth elements (REEs) are the invisible engine behind many of today’s most transformative technologies, from electric vehicles and wind turbines to advanced electronics and defense systems. As governments and industries move toward decarbonization, securing a stable and sustainable supply of these critical minerals has become a geopolitical and industrial priority.
While REEs are not rare in terms of abundance, they are complex to extract and purify. Found in challenging ores such as bastnäsite or monazite, these elements require chemical separation processes, often involving caustic or acidic leaching, before they can be refined into usable compounds. At the heart of this transformation lies a critical step: solid-liquid separation.
Filtration at the Heart of the Rare Earths Supply Chain
Once the ore is ground and leached, the resulting slurry contains valuable REE salts in solution along with insoluble residues. Efficiently separating these solids without product loss is essential to both process performance and economics.
DrM’s FUNDABAC® candle filters provide a proven solution. Engineered for aggressive chemical environments and high-temperature applications, they deliver fully enclosed, automated operation with robust particle retention and effective cake washing. This results in higher product yields, improved safety, and lower maintenance in rare earth processing plants.
FUNDABAC® filters remove insoluble gangue from REE-rich liquor with precision and safety.
Global Trends Demand Smarter Processing
The urgency around rare earths is not just technical, it is strategic. Over 85% of global REE refining capacity is currently concentrated in China, creating vulnerabilities for other industrial economies. In response, the United States, Australia, the European Union, and others are investing in regional supply chains and processing infrastructure.
As new facilities come online, demand is growing for reliable and scalable separation technologies. FUNDABAC® filters are already supporting critical separation steps in projects across Asia, North America, and Europe, offering flexibility for both greenfield and retrofit applications.
Beyond Rare Earths: A Broader Role in Critical Minerals
DrM filtration systems extend beyond rare earth elements. From lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for electric vehicle batteries to high-purity manganese, cobalt, and nickel compounds, FUNDABAC® and CONTIBAC® filters are used throughout the critical minerals landscape.
These systems also contribute to sustainability efforts by supporting brine recycling, tailings dewatering, and circular processing strategies that reduce environmental impact and resource waste.
Enabling the Energy Transition
Global demand for critical minerals is projected to quadruple by 2040 according to the IEA. Meeting this demand will require not only increased extraction, but also more efficient and reliable processing technologies.
Filtration is central to this challenge. At DrM, we are proud to support the world’s transition to clean energy through advanced filtration systems that deliver technical performance, operational safety, and long-term reliability.