Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Germany-based Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG (VAC) in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.9 billion. The acquisition, sourced from Ara Partners, aims to establish a fully integrated rare earth supply chain platform spanning mining, processing, metals and alloy production, and permanent magnet manufacturing. This move is expected to strengthen Western access to critical materials used in defense, automotive, robotics, data centers, and industrial applications.
VAC brings over 100 years of advanced magnetics expertise, more than 400 patents, and manufacturing operations across North America, Europe, and Asia, including its recently commissioned permanent magnet facility in Sumter, South Carolina. According to Energy Fuels, the combination, together with its planned acquisition of Australian Strategic Materials Ltd., positions the company to become one of the first Western suppliers with commercial capabilities across the rare earth value chain—from mining and separation through finished magnet production.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. For details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/iebv8.
Energy Fuels is a leading U.S. critical materials company specializing in uranium, rare earth elements, heavy mineral sands, vanadium, and the development of medical isotopes. The company owns the only fully licensed conventional uranium mill operating in the U.S.—the White Mesa Mill in Utah—where it also produces REE products and evaluates medical isotope recovery for emerging cancer therapies. Additionally, Energy Fuels is developing three heavy mineral sands/rare earths projects: the Vara Mada Project in Madagascar, Bahia Project in Brazil, and Donald Project in Australia (through a joint venture with Astron Limited).
The acquisition of VAC is significant as it creates a Western-controlled supply chain for rare earth magnets, which are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military systems. Currently, China dominates the global rare earth magnet market, controlling over 90% of permanent magnet production. This deal, along with Energy Fuels' other initiatives, aims to reduce Western dependence on Chinese supply.
Investors can find the latest news and updates relating to UUUU in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/UUUU.
