Molycorp, a producer of rare earths, has launched a new rare earth-based water treatment technology called XSORBX and is now selling it for commercial use in the wastewater, recreational, pool and spa, industrial process, and other water treatment markets.

Molycorp has developed XSORBX, a non-toxic, end-use water treatment product, with its patented, rare earth-composition No-Phos technology, which is claimed to deliver a 20% increase in the removal of impurities, such as nutrients, heavy metals, dyes, and other contaminants from water.

XSORBX, which utilizes rare earths produced by Molycorp at its Mountain Pass, California rare earth facility, will also remove pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and pharmaceuticals, thereby eliminating dependence on foreign sources for water treatment application.

Molycorp CEO Mark Smith said that the commercialization of XSORBX is an important milestone for Molycorp as it has enormous potential to help meet the unique drinking water challenges faced by the US Armed Forces and nations that face challenges with delivering potable water on a daily basis.