Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium Closing Metal Powder Plant

Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium (RTIT) will permanently close the operations of the metal powder plant at the Critical Minerals and Metallurgical Complex in Sorel-Tracy, Canada, by the end of 2025.

Per Rio Tinto “This difficult but necessary decision, taken based on in-depth analysis, is attributable to a decline in the metal powder market due to developments in the combustion engine automotive industry, as well as overcapacity among metal powder producers, resulting in pressure on prices and a decline in sales. The strike by unionized employees at the powder plant, which has been ongoing since July 2025, has accelerated the decline in sales to a level that no longer ensures the viability of the powder plant.”

Where possible, the metal powder plant will continue to honor its contracts and agreements with customers and suppliers.