All fact sheets · The Strata Memo
Scandium
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Chemical details
- State at room conditions
- Solid
- Melting point
- 1,814 K (1,541 °C)
- Boiling point
- 3,109 K (2,836 °C)
- Density
- 2.99 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +3
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.36
- Atomic radius
- 211 pm
- First ionization energy
- 6.561 eV
- Discovered
- 1879
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubChem, Periodic Table of Elements (element Scandium) (current at retrieval)
On the USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals. Figures: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (data release, public domain). Estimates are USGS's; check the USGS chapter for notes. Each panel names its source; full citations are in the methodology source register.
Overview
The headline numbers: how much the U.S. depends on imports and how concentrated supply is.
How much does the U.S. import?
of U.S. scandium use was met by imports in 2025 (USGS net import reliance).
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Scandium (February 2026)
Did you know?
Scandium is named for Scandinavia, and it found little use until about the 1970s, when its positive effects on aluminium alloys were discovered.
Checked against two independent sources. Verified 2026-10-26.
Sources: Wikipedia · AZoM · Los Alamos National Laboratory (Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA)
Supply
Who produces it, where the reserves are, where U.S. imports come from, and how U.S. supply has moved.
Price
Price, global, dollars per kilogram, range of average values: Scandium metal, ingot, 99.999% purity, 1- to 10-kilogram lot size
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Scandium (February 2026)
Where U.S. imports come from
Choose a data set, then a view. A country keeps the same color in every chart on this page. Grey means other countries, or a country beyond the seven colors (always labeled). Hover or focus a mark for its value, or use the table view.
- Japan89%
- China11%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 89% | 89.0% |
| China | 11% | 11.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of all forms, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Scandium (February 2026)
- China83% · $6.7M
- Korea, South9% · $722K
- United Kingdom4% · $318K
- Turkey3% · $257K
- Japan1% · $42K
- Hong Kong0% · $12K
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| China | 83% · $6.7M | 83.2% |
| Korea, South | 9% · $722K | 9.0% |
| United Kingdom | 4% · $318K | 4.0% |
| Turkey | 3% · $257K | 3.2% |
| Japan | 1% · $42K | 0.5% |
| Hong Kong | 0% · $12K | 0.2% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 2805.30; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
- China54% · $106.4M
- France14% · $28.3M
- Japan13% · $26.1M
- Austria5% · $9.0M
- Germany4% · $7.0M
- South Africa3% · $5.0M
- All other countries8% · $15.3M
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| China | 54% · $106.4M | 54.0% |
| France | 14% · $28.3M | 14.3% |
| Japan | 13% · $26.1M | 13.3% |
| Austria | 5% · $9.0M | 4.6% |
| Germany | 4% · $7.0M | 3.5% |
| South Africa | 3% · $5.0M | 2.5% |
| All other countries | 8% · $15.3M | 7.8% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 2846; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Trade and tariffs
Tariff codes and the countries behind U.S. imports and exports.
Trade codes and tariffs
| HTS code | What it covers | Normal rate | Column 2 rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2805.30 | Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed | 5% | 31.3% |
| 2846 | Compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals, of yttrium or of scandium, or of mixtures of these metals | Free to 5.5% * | 25% to 35% |
Rates from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USITC, saved 2026-10-26). The normal rate is column 1 general; column 2 applies to countries without normal trade relations. A range means different products under the code have different rates. An asterisk means the schedule footnotes point to Chapter 99 additional-duty headings. Section 232, Section 301, emergency tariffs and antidumping or countervailing duties are set in separate notices and are not shown. Look up any code at hts.usitc.gov. These are the main codes for this mineral, not a complete list.
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, general and column 2 rates (edition current when saved)
U.S. trade by country
U.S. imports in 2025 by source country, code 2846
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| China | 54% · $106.4M |
| France | 14% · $28.3M |
| Japan | 13% · $26.1M |
| Austria | 5% · $9.0M |
| Germany | 4% · $7.0M |
| South Africa | 3% · $5.0M |
U.S. exports in 2025 by destination, code 2846
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| China | 32% · $68.6M |
| Vietnam | 27% · $58.2M |
| Thailand | 15% · $32.9M |
| Korea, South | 7% · $15.7M |
| Taiwan | 3% · $6.5M |
| Netherlands | 2% · $3.8M |
2805.30 Rare-earth metal, scandium & yttrium
Top import sources China 83%, Korea, South 9%, United Kingdom 4%
Top export destinations India 29%, Canada 22%, United Kingdom 17%
2846 Rare-earth metal compounds of yttrium or scandium
Top import sources China 54%, France 14%, Japan 13%
Top export destinations China 32%, Vietnam 27%, Thailand 15%
U.S. Census Bureau International Trade API, saved 2026-10-26. Imports are general imports (customs value) and exports are total exports, in U.S. dollars. Duty collected is Census's calculated duty on imports for consumption. Figures cover every 10-digit product under the code, so they can include goods beyond this mineral, and the duty shown is not split into Section 232, Section 301 or antidumping duties. Bars show the largest code for each direction. Group rows such as the EU or OECD are left out so no country is counted twice.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports and exports by HS code and country (calendar 2025, and January to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Value chain and risk
Where in the chain the bottlenecks sit, and what other governments and sources say about supply risk.
Value chain: where the bottlenecks are
Mining bottleneck
Rare earths are mined in the United States: bastnaesite at Mountain Pass, California, and monazite as a sand byproduct in the Southeast. (U.S. activity)
The source says
“Bastnaesite was mined as a primary product in Mountain Pass, CA. Monazite was produced from heavy-mineral-sand concentrates in the southeastern United States.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare Earths (2026-02)
Scandium was not commercially mined or recovered in the United States in 2025; it is produced only as a byproduct, and China was the leading producer of about 80 tons worldwide. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Domestically, scandium was not commercially mined or recovered in 2025.”
“Scandium was produced exclusively as a byproduct, primarily from nickel and titanium process streams”
“global production totaled about 80 tons. China was the leading producer.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Scandium (PDF page 170) (2026-02)
Ore processing and primary recovery bottleneck
Scandium was not commercially mined or recovered in the United States in 2025, and imported scandium oxide filled U.S. needs; the source says scandium is produced only as a byproduct of other process streams. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Domestically, scandium was not commercially mined or recovered in 2025.”
“shipping records indicated scandium oxide was imported from Japan,6 89%; and China, 11%.”
“Scandium was produced exclusively as a byproduct, primarily from nickel and titanium process streams, as well as from previously processed tailings and residues.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Scandium, PDF pages 170-171 of the full book (2026)
Refining and separation bottleneck
The United States processes some rare earths, but its imported compounds and metals came 71% from China (2021-24), and the Malaysian, Japanese and Estonian share was made from concentrates and intermediates produced in China and elsewhere. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“Rare earths were mined and processed domestically in 2025.”
“Compounds and metals imported from Estonia, Japan, and Malaysia were derived from mineral concentrates and chemical intermediates produced in Australia, China, and elsewhere.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare Earths (2026-02)
The United States has small scandium-metal refining capacity in Iowa and Arizona, with more under development in Illinois and Nebraska; the Department of War awarded $10 million (August 2025) and $29.9 million (November 2025) for U.S. scandium supply. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“The United States had small-scale scandium-metal refining capacity in Ames, IA, and Tolleson, AZ; additional capacity was under development in Urbana, IL, and at the Elk Creek project in Nebraska.”
“In August, a company was awarded $10 million from the U.S. Department of War (DOW) to develop a U.S. mine-to- master alloy supply chain near Elk Creek, NE.”
“In November, another company was awarded $29.9 million from the DOW to develop a U.S. supply of scandium and gallium”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Scandium (PDF page 170) (2026-02)
The Congressional Research Service says China processes and separates about 90% of the world's rare earths. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“(PRC, or China) mines about 60% and processes and separates about 90% of global REEs.”
Source: CRS In Focus IF13171, Rare Earth Elements and U.S. Supply Chains (2026-03-04)
The Section 232 proclamation says U.S. rare earth oxides must be exported for further refining and processing before being reimported. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“the United States' limited processing capacity still requires rare earth oxides to be exported for further refining and processing before being reimported for domestic use”
Source: White House proclamation, Adjusting Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and Their Derivative Products (Section 232) (2026-01-14)
Metal, alloy and chemical bottleneck
China's April 2025 controls cover alloys, compounds, metals and oxides of seven rare earths: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“China tightened its export controls on rare-earth elements, adding specific controls on alloys, compounds, metals, and oxides of samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare Earths (2026-02)
Scandium oxide imports came 89% from Japan and 11% from China in 2021-24, and China's April 2025 export controls cover scandium metal, alloys, oxides and compounds. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“scandium oxide was imported from Japan,6 89%; and China, 11%.”
“In April, China tightened its export controls on rare earth elements, adding specific controls on scandium metal, alloys, oxides, and compounds.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Scandium (PDF page 170) (2026-02)
The Congressional Research Service says China makes about 94% of rare-earth magnets. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“It also manufactures about 94% of REE-based magnets.”
Source: CRS In Focus IF13171, Rare Earth Elements and U.S. Supply Chains (2026-03-04)
The proclamation says the United States relies entirely on imports of rare earth permanent magnets for commercial demand and that U.S. production meets only a fraction of defense needs. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“the United States is too entirely reliant on imports of rare earth permanent magnets to meet commercial demand, and United States production currently meets only a fraction of defense needs”
Source: White House proclamation, Adjusting Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and Their Derivative Products (Section 232) (2026-01-14)
Components and end use
Magnets are the leading global use, catalysts the leading U.S. use, and much imported rare-earth content arrives inside finished goods. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“the estimated leading domestic end use of rare earths was catalysts, whereas the estimated leading global use was magnets.”
“A significant amount of imported rare earths was embedded in finished goods.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare Earths (2026-02)
The principal uses are aerospace alloys and solid oxide fuel cells. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“The principal uses for scandium in 2025 were in aerospace alloys and solid oxide fuel cells”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Scandium (PDF page 170) (2026-02)
Recycling
Only limited quantities are recovered, from batteries, permanent magnets and fluorescent lamps. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“Limited quantities of rare earths were recovered from batteries, permanent magnets, and fluorescent lamps.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare Earths (2026-02)
USGS lists scandium recycling as none. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Recycling: None.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Scandium (PDF page 170) (2026-02)
Pilot. Summaries are ours, from official pages; each quoted passage is checked against the saved page. “Bottleneck” (orange dot) is shown only where the quote shows one country dominating the stage or the United States relying on imports for it. “No sourced data yet” means we have not found a source, not that the stage is unproblematic.
Mines, plants and partners
Named facilities with their operators and locations, as each source describes them on the date shown. 2 sourced entries for Scandium.
Mining
NioCorp Developments Ltd. (through ECRC)
Elk Creek, Nebraska, United States · Under construction
The source says
“NioCorp, through ECRC (as defined below), is developing a critical minerals project that, if and when developed, will produce niobium, scandium, titanium and several rare earth products, including neodymium-praseodymium oxide, dysprosium oxide, terbium oxide”
“Known as the “Elk Creek Project,” it is located near Elk Creek, Nebraska, in the southeast portion of the state.”
“construction of the main access to the underground portion (the "Portal Project") of the Elk Creek Project had commenced”
Source: NioCorp Developments Ltd., Form 10-K for fiscal year ended June 30, 2026 (SEC EDGAR) (2026-09-25)
Refining and separation
Rio Tinto (Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Quebec operations)
Sorel-Tracy, Québec, Canada · Operating
The source says
“a transaction to advance the Canadian production of scandium oxide in Sorel-Tracy, Québec at the facility under construction at Rio Tinto’s Critical Minerals and Metallurgical Complex”
“Rio Tinto’s demonstration plant, which began production in 2022, currently accounts for the entirety of North American scandium supply”
“expanding the facility’s nameplate capacity to nine tonnes per annum”
Source: Rio Tinto, Rio Tinto and Canada Growth Fund announce transaction to advance Canadian production of scandium (2025-11-01)
A curated list, not a complete register: it shows facilities we could confirm in a source page, and a missing name means we have not sourced it, not that it does not exist. Each quoted passage is checked against the saved page. Partnerships are listed only where the source states them.
Geopolitics and supply risk
Export controls by other countries
In April 2025 China added specific export controls on alloys, compounds, metals and oxides of these seven elements.
The source says
“In April 2025, China tightened its export controls on rare-earth elements, adding specific controls on alloys, compounds, metals, and oxides of samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare earths (2026-02)
The April 2025 Chinese controls stayed in force, though China began issuing general export licenses to selected exporters.
The source says
“The April export controls remained in effect, although China began to issue general export licenses to selected exporters.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Rare earths (2026-02)
U.S. policy and funding
A $29.9 million Defense Production Act Title III award in November 2025 supports a Louisiana demonstration plant that will recover gallium and scandium from industrial waste.
The source says
“granted a $29.9 million award to a U.S. company to develop a demonstration facility in Louisiana that will recover gallium and scandium from industrial waste”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Gallium (2026-02)
Summaries are ours, from official pages. Each quoted passage is checked against the saved source page. This is a curated list for the edition shown, not a complete or current record of every measure.
Policy and funding
Federal items we track for this mineral, each linked to its original.
Federal awards already made
Rio Tinto Services Inc · Department of Defense · $24.8M obligated · started 2026-02-20
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
Rio Tinto Services Inc · Department of Defense · $24.8M obligated · started 2026-04-17
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
The Chemours Co Fc LLC · Department of Defense · $4.5M obligated · started 2026-05-07
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
The Chemours Co Fc LLC · Department of Defense · $4.1M obligated · started 2025-05-27
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
University of Illinois · Department of Energy · $4M obligated · started 2024-08-01
Source: usaspending.gov, retrieved 2026-10-29
The 5 largest of 10 AI-tagged awards from USAspending (last 12 months, found by keyword; some are only loosely about this mineral). See all awards for Scandium.
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, USAspending.gov: spending by award (contracts and grants, last 12 months) (award start dates per item)
Data tables
The USGS figures behind the charts. Click a column heading to sort.
Scandium: USGS tables
United States
| Measure | Unit | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption | percent | 100 | 100 |
| Imports, scandium oxide | metric tons | 7 | 4 |
| Price, global, dollars per kilogram, range of average values: Scandium oxide, powder, 99.99% purity, 5- to 100-kilogram lot size | dollars per kilogram | 660–670 | 640 |
| Price, global, dollars per kilogram, range of average values: Scandium metal, ingot, 99.999% purity, 1- to 10-kilogram lot size | dollars per kilogram | 5,200 | 5,200 |
| Price, global, dollars per kilogram, range of average values: Scandium-aluminum alloy, ingot,scandium 2%, 1- to 30-kilogram lot size | dollars per kilogram | 34 | 30 |
World reserves: Australia’s reserves (accessible Economic Demonstrated Resources) (metric tons; top 6 of 1, plus other countries)
| Country | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Australia |
U.S. import sources: All (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 89 |
| China | 11 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Scandium (February 2026)