The two rare earths bundled commercially as PrNd oxide — together they form the magnet feedstock for every EV motor and wind turbine.
Neodymium: Neodymium is irreplaceable in EV motors and wind turbines. China controls 85% of global rare earth processing, making supply security a top priority for the U.S. and allies.
Praseodymium: Praseodymium is co-critical with neodymium for EV and wind energy magnets. Supply concentration in China creates strategic vulnerability for energy transition supply chains.
Neodymium: Neodymium is a rare earth element essential for neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) permanent magnets — the strongest magnets in the world. These magnets are used in every electric vehicle motor and wind turbine generator. Praseodymium: Praseodymium is a rare earth element used alongside neodymium in magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines. Praseodymium-neodymium (PrNd) mixed oxide is the standard commercial magnet feedstock.
As tracked by Critical Minerals HQ, Neodymium is currently $68 USD/kg and Praseodymium is $75 USD/kg. The two minerals are quoted in different units (USD/kg vs USD/kg), so see the live price panels above for the most recent figures.
Neither is "better" in absolute terms — each is engineered for different end-uses. Neodymium is primarily used for: NdFeB permanent magnets for EV motors, Wind turbine direct-drive generators, Defense guidance systems and sensors, Consumer electronics speakers and hard drives. Praseodymium is primarily used for: PrNd alloy magnets for EV motors and wind turbines, Aircraft engine alloys, Colorant for glass and ceramics, High-strength rare earth alloys. The right mineral depends on the application.
Neodymium and Praseodymium are quoted in different units (USD/kg vs USD/kg), so a direct numeric rarity comparison from spot price alone is indicative only. See the indexed 25-year chart on the live page for relative scarcity behavior.
Specific US import-reliance percentages are not in our on-file reference text for either Neodymium or Praseodymium. See the official USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries for the latest figures.
Neodymium top producers (USGS): China, United States, Myanmar, Australia. Praseodymium top producers: China, Australia, United States, Myanmar. The mineral whose first-listed producer accounts for a larger share of global output carries the greater supply-chain concentration risk.
Neodymium: Neodymium is irreplaceable in EV motors and wind turbines. China controls 85% of global rare earth processing, making supply security a top priority for the U.S. and allies. Praseodymium: Praseodymium is co-critical with neodymium for EV and wind energy magnets. Supply concentration in China creates strategic vulnerability for energy transition supply chains.