About Us
Rare Material Division is a comprehensive manufacturer/supplier of rare metals and rare earths, providing integrated services from refining to sales.Using the solvent extraction method and the ion exchange method, we are one of the first companies to mass-produce high-purity rare earth products.Today, rare metals and rare earths are not only used in many electronic products, but also in a wide range of industrial fields, from energy to medicine and semiconductors.
Business Philosophy
To contribute to the society through the continuous creation of high-quality rare earth products, and to seek an eternal growth of the company.
Company History
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Rare Metal Business
Nippon Yttrium Co., Ltd.
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Started production of cerium oxide abrasive (Sankin Rare Earth Co., Ltd.)
1963
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1966
Established as a 50-50 joint venture between Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. and Tohoku Kinzoku Kogyo K. K. (Currently Tokin Corporation).
The company was the first in Japan to successfully refine and supply high-purity yttrium oxide using the ion exchange method. -
1967
Adopted the solvent extraction method from Thorium Ltd., an affiliate of Rio Tinto based in the UK.
Established equipment for ion exchange method and facilities for mass production. In addition to Y2O3, started supply of other medium rare earth oxides (Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, etc.). -
1973
Started supply of rare earth metals such as Sm metal.
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Started production of tantalum oxide and niobium oxide (Sankin Rare Earth Co., Ltd.)
1976
Began production of SmCo5powder for samarium-cobalt alloys.Sm2Co17series was also added to the product lineup to strengthen the production of magnetic alloy powders.
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1978
Began supplying coprecipitates of Y2O3and Eu2O3for phosphors.
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Absorbed Sankin Rare Earth Co., Ltd. into our company and established the Miike Rare Metal Plant
1980
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Started production of carbide
1981
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1983
Developed various new materials such as Nd metals for magnet, Tb-Gd alloys for magneto-optical memory, and yttrium compounds for YSZ.
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Started production of sputtering target
1984
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1985
Expanded solvent extraction facilities and installed a large vacuum melting furnace.
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1986
Capital increased to 200 million yen.
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Sputtering target division became independent (Thin Film Materials Division)
1988
Established Kyushu Yttrium Co., Ltd. (KYC) in Omuta, Fukuoka to increase medium-heavy rare earth production.
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1989
Capital increased to 400 million yen.
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2001
Merged with KYC.
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2003
Moved the head office to Omuta, Fukuoka
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2009
Participated in JOGMEC’s recycling project.
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Launched recycling business for cerium oxide abrasive following the rare earth crisis
2010
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2011
Started technical assistance to Vietnam.
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Started production of NANOBIXTM abrasive for SiC wafer
2014
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Expanded production capacity for high-purity tantalum oxide
Designated as a Green Asia International Strategic Comprehensive Special Zone2017
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Enhanced production capacity for cerium oxide abrasive
2018
Expansion of the coating material factory for semiconductor production equipment
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Enhanced production capacity of NANOBIXTM abrasive for SiC wafer
2023
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2024
Became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. (Mitsui Kinzoku)
Rare Material Division
2025
Merged Nippon Yttrium Co., Ltd. into our company, integrated the rare metal business, and established the Rare Material Division
We are also working on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted at the UN Summit. We will continue to supply rare earth products that meet the needs of our customers and society, while taking the global environment into consideration.
We are actively working in close cooperation with of our customers to recycle valuable rare earth resources using our proprietary separation and refinement technologies.
Rare Material Division has acquired ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) certifications to ensure that our products are environmentally friendly and show consistent quality for our customers. We have also acquired ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) to ensure the safety of our employees.
Outline
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Location2081-398 Tosen, Omuta, Fukuoka 836-0003, Japan
