Fresno Recycler Joins Rare Earth Supply Push, Domestic Refining Boost

ERI, based in Fresno County, announced on November 20, 2025 that it had signed a strategic commercial processing agreement with ReElement Technologies, a subsidiary of American Resources Corporation, to recycle magnet containing electronics into refined rare earth oxides. The partnership uses ERI's national collection network and its recycling centers to source end of life components that contain rare earth magnets, while ReElement will refine the recovered feedstock into high purity rare earth oxides. Business Journal coverage of the announcement noted trial shipments produced materials at 99.9 percent purity.

The agreement represents a step toward closing the loop on critical mineral flows, moving material that would otherwise be disposed of into refined inputs for industrial uses. Rare earth oxides are essential inputs for permanent magnets, which are in turn critical to electric vehicle motors, certain defense applications and a range of high technology manufacturing processes. By combining ERI's collection reach with ReElement's refining capability, the deal seeks to increase domestic availability of those inputs and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.

For Fresno County residents the immediate effects are likely to be increased throughput at local recycling centers and steadying of inbound flows of discarded electronics. That could translate into more stable operations at ERI's Fresno facility and related logistical activity in the county. Over time the development may attract downstream processing work or supplier investments if refiners and manufacturers see consistent domestic feedstock and quality like the 99.9 percent purity reported in trial shipments.

From a market perspective, scaling domestic recycling of magnet containing devices could ease supply risks and make manufacturers less exposed to foreign concentrated sources. From a policy perspective the partnership aligns with broader national efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains and build circular economy capacity. How quickly those systemic benefits materialize will depend on the volume of end of life electronics captured, regulatory support and investment in refining capacity, but the agreement places a Fresno based operator at the forefront of that transition.