Rare earths are the backbone of many of the devices we use on a daily basis, as well as the technologies that are already contributing to the health of our planet. Rare earths affect many areas of our everyday lives.
Rapid global industrialisation and population growth has placed increased pressure on the availability of raw materials.
Because of their specific optical, magnetic and catalytic properties, rare earths are used in a variety of applications:
Industrial processes: petroleum catalytic cracking, chemical catalysis
Glass manufacturing: polishing, UV absorption, refractive index improvement
Automotive emission control: catalytic convertors
Energy storage: NiMH batteries
Energy efficient electrical motors: rare earth permanent magnets enabling lighter and more efficient motors
Special steel alloys: lighter and less brittle
Electronics: semi-conductors manufacturing, micro-motors for computers and servers hard disks, acoustic devices including earphones and high quality speakers, and micro-capacitors used in many electronic devices
Lighting: energy efficient fluorescent lamps
Medical: PET scanners, MRI
Plus a number of new applications under development
How are rare earths used? - Lynas Corporation
