Aclara to Establish $277 Million Rare Earth Processing Hub in Louisiana for Clean Energy Supply Chain

Major Investment in Critical Minerals Infrastructure

Aclara Resources Inc. is making a substantial $277 million investment to establish a heavy rare earth separation facility at the Port of Vinton, Louisiana, according to company announcements. The project represents a significant step in building Western Hemisphere capacity for minerals essential to clean energy and advanced technology applications.

Major Investment in Critical Minerals Infrastructure
Strategic Position in Western Supply Chain
Sustainable Technology for Essential Elements
Strategic Location Selection
Phased Development Approach
Economic Development Partnership
Cornerstone of Western Hemisphere Minerals Strategy

Sources indicate the development will create 140 direct new jobs at what will be Aclara’s first United States operation. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will generate an additional 456 indirect jobs throughout the region, providing a substantial economic boost to the local community.

Strategic Position in Western Supply Chain

“Our project is unique in the Western world,” Aclara Resources CEO Ramón Barúa stated in the announcement. “With direct access to our ionic clay deposits, this will be the only fully integrated heavy rare earth separation operation capable of producing material volumes at scale.”, according to according to reports

The company reportedly plans to move at an accelerated pace to bring supply online, with current projections targeting mid-2028 for project convergence and production initiation. The facility will process material from Aclara’s mineral deposits in Brazil and Chile, creating a U.S.-based supply chain for these critical materials.

Sustainable Technology for Essential Elements

The new facility will employ Aclara’s proprietary sustainable extraction technology to produce heavy rare earth elements that are essential components for electric vehicles, wind turbines, drones, and robotics. The company’s approach emphasizes environmental responsibility throughout the extraction and separation process.

Analysts suggest this investment addresses growing concerns about supply chain security for critical minerals, particularly as demand for clean energy technologies continues to accelerate globally.

Strategic Location Selection

The company selected the Port of Vinton location after evaluating more than 100 potential U.S. sites, according to reports. The Louisiana location offered strategic advantages including proximity to key chemical suppliers, access to Gulf Coast logistics infrastructure, and availability of a skilled industrial workforce.

The facility will occupy an LED Certified Site at the port, which has been prequalified for industrial development through extensive environmental and engineering reviews. This certification reportedly streamlined the site selection process and provided assurance regarding the location’s suitability for industrial development.

Phased Development Approach

Construction is expected to begin in 2026 with completion targeted for 2027, according to the company’s timeline. The development will proceed in phases, starting with the rare earth separation plant itself.

Future expansions may include downstream processing and alloy production capabilities as part of Aclara’s long-term growth strategy. This phased approach allows the company to establish core operations before expanding into additional value-added processes.

Economic Development Partnership

To secure the project for Vinton, the state of Louisiana offered Aclara Resources a competitive incentives package that includes comprehensive workforce development solutions through LED FastStart and a $3 million performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements.

The company is also expected to participate in the state’s High Impact Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs, further enhancing the project’s economic viability. These incentives reportedly played a crucial role in the final site selection decision.

Cornerstone of Western Hemisphere Minerals Strategy

“This facility will become a cornerstone of critical minerals reindustrialization in the Western Hemisphere,” Aclara Resources COO Hugh Broadhurst stated in the announcement.

The project represents a significant step toward reducing dependence on existing supply chains for rare earth elements, which are increasingly important for national security, economic competitiveness, and the transition to clean energy technologies. More information about Aclara’s operations and technology can be found on their company website.