The Estonian rare earths processor, NPM Silmet, plans to stop using raw materials from Russia’s state-owned Solikamsk Magnesium Works (SMZ) by the end of 2026, ERR reports. NPM Silmet said that it would have to reduce production at its plant in Sillamäe as a result. The company is still waiting for a final shipment from SMZ, Postimees reported. Earlier, Estonia asked that SMZ be excluded from the EU’s new sanctions package due to NPM Silmet’s importance for European industry, ERR reported. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the government has been pressuring NPM Silmet to stop using raw materials from SMZ, which is part of Russia’s state-run nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, ERR reported. The European Commission has selected NPM Silmet’s modernisation as one of the EU’s strategic projects. The company’s owner is the Canadian mining corporation, Neo Performance Materials.
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