Anavo white logo and yellow dot with transparent background

Rare Earth Elements: Key to Modern Tech and Green Energy

Rare Earth Elements have become extremely important to our world because of their unique magnetic, phosphorescent and catalytic properties. 

 

These elements are found in modern technology ranging from cell phones and televisions to LED light bulk and wind turbines. Unfortunately, there is no known equal substitute for REEs at this time. 

REEs are crucial in various high-tech applications:

– Neodymium is used to create powerful magnets essential for wind turbines and electric vehicles.

– Europium and terbium are used in phosphorescent applications, such as in LED lights and screens.

– Lanthanum is used in catalytic converters in cars to reduce emissions.

As our technology needs increase, so does the demand for rare elements. This has resulted in a significant global shortage, which is currently hindering the growth of renewable technology. The annual demand for REEs has doubled over the past 15 years and is expected to grow significantly by 2030. The uptake of green technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy systems drives this surge in demand.

But before we delve into that, let’s start with the basics…

 

What Are Rare Earth Elements?

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of seventeen metallic elements, consisting of the fifteen lanthanides on the periodic table, plus scandium and yttrium, which have similar properties and are often found in ores and deposits. These elements are divided into two categories based on their atomic weights:

– Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs): These include lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, and europium.

– Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs): These include gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.

 

Abundance and Distribution

While most of these elements are not rare in terms of their abundance in the earth’s crust, they are rarely found in economically viable concentrations. This means that although they are relatively plentiful, they are often dispersed and not concentrated enough to be mined profitably.

 

Production and Supply

The global production of REEs is dominated by China, which accounts for about 70% of the world’s supply. This concentration of supply poses risks to global supply chains, especially given geopolitical tensions and export restrictions. Efforts are being made to diversify sources, including recycling and extracting REEs from unconventional sources like coal ash.

Recent studies have shown that coal ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, contains significant quantities of REEs. For example, research led by the University of Texas at Austin found that the national coal ash supply in the United States could significantly bolster the national supply of REEs without any new mining. This discovery highlights the potential for “trash to treasure” approaches in addressing REE shortages.

 

Why Are They Important?

Rare earth elements (REEs) are key components in many electronic devices that we use in our daily lives and various industrial applications. These elements are crucial for the functionality and efficiency of numerous high-tech products, including:

– Smartphones: REEs like neodymium are used in the tiny, powerful magnets found in speakers and vibration units.

– Digital Cameras: Lanthanum is used in camera lenses to improve clarity and reduce distortion.

– Computer Hard Disks: Neodymium magnets are essential for the read/write heads in hard drives.

– Fluorescent and LED Lights: Europium and terbium are used in phosphors that produce bright, energy-efficient lighting.

– Flat-Screen Televisions and Monitors: Yttrium, europium, and terbium are used in the production of vivid colours on screens.

 

Applications in Clean Energy and Defense Technologies

In addition to consumer electronics, large quantities of some REEs are also found in clean energy and defence technologies. For example:

– Neodymium: This silvery metal is very important in renewable energy. When combined with iron and boron, it makes powerful magnets that are crucial for developing wind generators and electric vehicles.

– Dysprosium: Used in conjunction with neodymium to create magnets that can withstand high temperatures, essential for electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

– Lanthanum: Used in the production of nickel-metal hydride batteries, which are commonly used in hybrid vehicles.

– Copper: Found in anything with an on-off switch, copper’s incredible ability to conduct electricity makes it indispensable in electronic devices.

– Lithium: Crucial for all rechargeable batteries, lithium is needed for building massive renewable energy infrastructure for storage capacity.

 

Importance in Green Technologies

Rare earth elements are vital for many green technologies, which are essential for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change:

– Electric Vehicles (EVs): REEs like neodymium and dysprosium are used in the motors of EVs, making them more efficient and powerful.

– Wind Turbines: Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets are used in the generators of wind turbines, which convert wind energy into electricity.

– Solar Panels: REEs are used in various components of solar panels to improve their efficiency and durability.

 

What Is The Demand For Rare Earth Elements?

The demand for rare earth elements (REEs) has significantly increased over the past 15 years, doubling according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The uptake of green technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy systems largely drives this surge. The IEA projects that demand could reach approximately 280,000 tonnes by 2030, fueled by the growing adoption of technologies that rely heavily on REEs, including wind turbines, electric vehicles, and various electronic devices.

China is set to continue dominating global markets by strengthening its supply chain and increasing its use of REEs in e-mobility, particularly with the growth of NdPr oxide in Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) magnets used in EVs.

The NdFeB magnets market is expected to grow significantly, driven primarily by the electric vehicle sector. The market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2024 to 2034. The increasing number of electric vehicles and the associated charging infrastructure are boosting the demand for NdFeB magnets. For example, Tesla’s electric vehicle motors use NdFeB magnets, which contribute to the high performance and efficiency of their vehicles.

The global rare earth elements market size is estimated at 175.03 kilotonnes in 2024 and is expected to reach 214.89 kilotonnes by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.19% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the high demand from emerging economies and the dependency of green technology on REEs.

 

Are Rare Earth Elements Sustainable?

Given the demand for REEs, the question is, how can we recycle products that contain REEs to make this a more sustainable practice?

With hundreds of thousands of tonnes of REE-containing products being produced each year, recycling remains the most sustainable strategy to reduce primary demand. Recycling not only helps in conserving these critical materials but also reduces the environmental impact associated with mining and processing new REEs.

 

Opportunities in Battery Recycling

Recycling metals from end-of-life batteries presents a significant opportunity to reduce the demand for battery metals, including cobalt, lithium, nickel, and manganese. For instance, the recycling of lithium-ion batteries can recover valuable materials that are essential for manufacturing new batteries. This process not only conserves resources but also mitigates the environmental hazards posed by battery disposal.

An ideal solution to reduce the demand for REEs in wind power and electric vehicle (EV) markets is to reuse and recycle existing rare-earth magnets. Retired wind turbines and EV motors are excellent sources for recycled REEs because their magnets are relatively large and can be recovered with ease. In some cases, large magnets can be reused directly without undergoing the recycling process.

Many EV and battery manufacturers have been proactive in establishing recycling initiatives and improving the efficiency of battery technologies. For example, companies like Tesla and BMW are investing in closed-loop recycling systems to recover REEs and other critical materials from used batteries. These initiatives are crucial for creating a sustainable supply chain and reducing reliance on new mining.

 

Enhancing Efficiency in Solar PV

Improving the efficiency of materials used in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can also reduce the primary demand for REEs. The solar industry has already made significant strides in minimising the demand for materials, improving performance, and reducing costs. However, further engagement in recycling is needed to avoid future waste streams and recover more REEs from the process.

 

Current Recycling Processes and Future Prospects

Currently, recycling REEs remains a lengthy process that involves demagnetisation, crushing, and roasting, followed by a leaching process and a separation method before a final roasting to produce a mixed rare earth oxide. This process is resource-intensive and requires significant energy input.

Innovative recycling techniques are being developed to make the process more efficient and sustainable. For example, researchers are exploring bioleaching methods that use bacteria to extract REEs from waste products. This approach is more environmentally friendly and could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of recycling REEs.

As our understanding of REEs increases, we hope to streamline the recycling process to make it more efficient and sustainable in the long term. By investing in recycling technologies and improving material efficiency, we can reduce the primary demand for REEs and support the growth of green technologies.

 

All in all, REEs are a critical part of renewable technology and will help us to reach net-zero by 2050. As the world’s supply of rare metals diminishes, the need for them increases. 

Our greatest opportunity to reduce the primary demand for REEs is to recycle and reuse the materials used in wind, solar and EVs

If your organisation is looking to hire top talent in the renewable energy sector, contact our recruitment experts today. We specialise in connecting you with skilled professionals who are passionate about driving sustainable solutions and advancing green technologies.

 

 

Tell us about you

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

About the Author:

Linda combines her technological expertise with extensive experience placing senior and specialist positions for an array of big-name clients in Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale, Berkeley, and abroad.
Read more about Linda Nero.