World battles to loosen China's grip on vital rare earths for clean energy transition

MP Materials and Lynas, the world's two largest rare earths companies after China, are struggling to refine its metals into magnets used in renewable energy technology. A dozen consultants, executives, investors and industry analysts say technical complexities, partnership strains, and pollution issues hinder the companies' ability to capture market share from China, which controls 87% of refining capacity globally.