Samarium Market
Samarium is the key ingredient in samarium-cobalt (SmCo) permanent magnets — the only magnet type that operates reliably above 150°C, making it essential for aerospace, defence, and oil and gas applications. Under China export controls since April 2025.
Request SupplyOTC reference price for samarium oxide (Sm₂O₃, 99.9%), under China export controls since April 2025.
See all rare earth prices: REE price dashboard
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Sm2O3 Reference Price | ~$4.50/kg (99.9% purity, outside China premium applies) |
| Export Control Status | Controlled — China Announcement 18 (April 2025) |
| Key Applications | SmCo permanent magnets, aerospace, defence, deep sea equipment, satellite systems |
| China Market Share | Over 85% of global production |
| Major Outside China Sources | Australia (Lynas — trace), USA (Energy Fuels), Canada (early stage) |
| Typical Purity | 99.9% Sm2O3 for magnet applications |
| Units | Kilograms, metric tonnes |
Samarium's primary commercial use is in samarium-cobalt (SmCo) permanent magnets — a distinct magnet technology from the more common NdFeB magnets used in EVs and wind turbines. SmCo magnets are chosen specifically for applications where temperature, corrosion resistance, or radiation tolerance is critical.
SmCo magnets can operate continuously at temperatures up to 300°C, compared to approximately 80 to 150°C for standard NdFeB magnets. They are also highly resistant to corrosion and do not require protective coatings. These properties make SmCo magnets the preferred choice for jet engine sensors, missile guidance systems, satellite attitude control actuators, deep sea drilling equipment, and nuclear and space applications.
The defence sector is particularly dependent on SmCo. The US Department of Defense has specifically flagged samarium as a critical material for national security, with SmCo magnets used in precision guided munitions, radar systems, sonar, and avionics components throughout the US and allied military supply chains.
China's Announcement 18 (April 2025) placed samarium alongside dysprosium, terbium and yttrium under export licensing controls. For a material already produced almost entirely in China and consumed primarily in Western defence and aerospace programmes, the controls represent a significant supply chain risk. outside China samarium supply is extremely limited at commercial scale, making OreTrade's verified sourcing network especially valuable for procurement teams in affected industries.
Samarium is used primarily in samarium-cobalt (SmCo) permanent magnets, which operate at temperatures up to 300°C — making them the preferred magnet type for aerospace, defence, oil and gas, and space applications. SmCo magnets are found in satellite attitude control systems, missile guidance, jet engine sensors, and deep sea drilling equipment.
Samarium oxide (Sm2O3, 99.9% purity) traded at approximately $4.50/kg as of early 2026 in outside China markets. outside China premiums are significant following Announcement 18 export controls. Samarium was placed under Chinese export licensing controls in April 2025, restricting Western supply access.
SmCo magnets operate at much higher temperatures than NdFeB magnets — up to 300°C vs approximately 80 to 150°C — and are more resistant to corrosion and radiation. NdFeB is preferred for cost sensitive applications like EV motors; SmCo is preferred for harsh environment aerospace and defence use where temperature and reliability are critical.
China's Announcement 18 (April 2025) placed samarium, along with dysprosium, terbium and yttrium, under export licensing controls. China produces over 85% of global samarium supply. The controls target elements critical to Western defence and aerospace supply chains where SmCo magnets have no short term NdFeB substitution.
Learn more about the rare earth supply chain and China export controls:
Join the OreTrade waitlist for early access to verified samarium and SmCo material listings.
Request Supply