Scandium demand outpaces supply, spurring projects in Canada and Australia
A market study commissioned by Scandium Canada and prepared by EY‑Parthenon projects global scandium oxide demand to rise to about 706 tonnes per year by 2050, far exceeding the forecast supply of roughly 266 tonnes per year. The gap is expected to appear as early as 2035 and to widen thereafter. Growth is driven primarily by aerospace, defence and automotive sectors, with aluminium‑scandium alloys identified as a key catalyst.
Scandium Canada is advancing its Crater Lake project in Quebec, aiming to produce 91 tonnes of primary scandium oxide annually and to commercialise aluminium‑scandium alloys through its Scalium+ subsidiary.
Separately, Australian Mines Limited is fast‑tracking a pre‑feasibility study for its Flemington deposit to evaluate increasing output from the current 60 tonnes to up to 180 tonnes per year. The study follows rising demand for scandium in solid‑oxide fuel cells and data‑centre energy systems, notably linked to Bloom Energy’s expansion.
Both initiatives reflect a broader industry push to develop new primary scandium sources as the metal remains largely a by‑product of other mining operations.
Entities: Andrew Nesbitt · Australian Mines Limited · Australian Mines Limited (AUZ) · Australian Mines Ltd. · Bloom Energy · Crater Lake Project · EY‑Parthenon · Flemington scandium deposit · Flemington scandium project · Guy Bourassa · Scandium Canada Ltd.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Scandium Canada aims to produce 91 tonnes per year of primary scandium oxide at its Crater Lake project in Quebec. (Scandium Canada)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Scandium demand is expected to triple by 2035, reaching 191 tonnes per year. (EY‑Parthenon study)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Scandium is currently produced only as a by‑product of other metal mining, with no primary production operation worldwide as of June 2026. (EY‑Parthenon study)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Global scandium oxide supply is projected to be about 266 tonnes per year by 2050. (EY‑Parthenon study)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Global scandium oxide demand is projected to reach 706 tonnes per year by 2050. (EY‑Parthenon study commissioned by Scandium Canada)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Australian Mines is fast‑tracking a pre‑feasibility study to increase Flemington scandium production to up to 180 tonnes per year. (Australian Mines)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bloom Energy is expanding solid‑oxide fuel‑cell production, creating additional demand for scandium. (Bloom Energy)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Aluminium‑scandium alloys are driving demand growth in aerospace, defence and automotive sectors, with aerospace projected to need 243 tonnes by 2050. (EY‑Parthenon study)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Flemington hosts one of the highest‑grade primary scandium mineral resources globally. (Australian Mines)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bloom Energy’s expansion of solid‑oxide fuel cells is increasing scandium demand for data‑centre power solutions. (Australian Mines)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Demand for scandium is driven by aerospace, defence and automotive sectors, especially aluminium‑scandium alloys. (EY‑Parthenon study)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Australian Mines is fast‑tracking a pre‑feasibility study to potentially increase Flemington scandium production from 60 to 180 tonnes per year. (Australian Mines)