Define what must be outside China
Begin with the purchase, not a country filter. Are you sourcing separated oxide, metal, alloy or a finished magnet? Does the requirement concern the seller's location, the manufacturing site, the origin of feedstock or every stage? Put the boundary in writing before making a shortlist. Otherwise, two colleagues can produce incompatible lists while both believe they have found non-Chinese supply.
The IEA distinguishes mining, refining and magnet manufacture when examining concentration. That stage-by-stage view is the relevant starting point for a diversification investigation.
Build the shortlist in two passes
First identify candidate facilities at the required product stage, keeping operating sites separate from projects. Then trace each candidate's disclosed inputs and processing partners. A downstream factory can be located in your preferred region while relying on a processor elsewhere. Record an unknown route as unknown rather than assuming either independence or exposure.
For each candidate, retain the source date, product scope and next unanswered question. Advance a facility to supplier contact when the public evidence supports further qualification, not when its country alone matches the brief.
Illustrative shortlist decision
Suppose one candidate is an operating alloy producer with an undisclosed oxide source, while another is a planned integrated project. Neither is automatically an independent source available today. The first needs feedstock clarification; the second needs evidence of commissioning and qualification. Keeping both on a research list is reasonable, but labelling both as current alternatives is not.
Set the geographic boundary
| Requirement | Evidence to seek |
|---|---|
| Seller location | Legal counterparty and contracting entity |
| Manufacturing origin | Named producing site and product |
| Upstream independence | Disclosed feed and conversion routes |
Your review checklist
- Specify the material and the date by which supply is needed.
- Separate operating capacity from proposed projects.
- Trace processing routes before claiming independence.
- Request supplier confirmation where public disclosures stop.
Investigate with Oreline
Use Oreline to find researched operations by location and stage, then inspect the companies, sources and disclosed routes behind the candidates. The connected dataset makes a geographic shortlist the beginning of an investigation rather than its conclusion.
Follow the evidence through the supply chain.
Explore Oreline’s guided investigations. No account required.
Explore the sandbox →Frequently asked questions
Does a European magnet factory guarantee European feedstock?
No. The manufacturing location and upstream material origin are separate findings. Trace or verify the route required by your sourcing brief.
Can public research qualify a supplier?
It can identify promising candidates and targeted questions. Technical qualification, available volume and commercial terms still need confirmation with the supplier.