What is the purpose of 'rare earths'?

Essential for smartphones, electric cars, and military aircraft, rare earth metals have emerged as a critical tool in global trade since China, the leading producer, imposed export restrictions this year. The European Union plans to increase domestic production of these essential materials, aiming to reduce dependency on Chinese supplies.

Key Rare Earth Elements and Their Applications

• Neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium: These four magnetic rare earths dominate the sectors economic value. They are primarily used to produce high-performance neodymium-iron-boron magnets, which are roughly ten times stronger than traditional magnets. Using these elements improves magnetic strength while minimizing size and weight. Offshore wind turbines can contain up to one tonne of these metals.
• Scandium: Used in lightweight, strong aluminum alloys, scandium is highly valued in aerospace and in high-end sports equipment such as golf clubs, bicycles, and baseball bats.
• Samarium: Widely used in aerospace, including by Lockheed Martin, to manufacture heat-resistant magnets for fighter jets. Each F-35 jet requires over 400 kilograms of rare earth metals.
• Lanthanum and cerium: Employed in combustion engines, particularly catalytic converters, to reduce fine particle emissions. Cerium is also used in glass polishing, oil refining, and cigarette lighter flints.
• Erbium: Applied in medical fields like dentistry, dermatology, and ophthalmology. Erbium and neodymium are critical in industrial lasers, with different rare earths altering laser wavelength, color, and functionality for applications including sound-and-light shows.

Global Production Trends

Worldwide production of rare earths rose from 220,000 tonnes in 2019 to 390,000 tonnes in 2024, marking a 77% increase over five years, according to the French research group Cercle CyclOpe.

Consumer Technology and Transportation

Every smartphone contains about three grams of rare earth metals, contributing to a total of more than 3,700 tonnes for the 1.24 billion devices sold globally in 2024. Electric and hybrid vehicles use between 1.2 and 3.5 kilograms per battery and motor. Rare earths are also incorporated into small motors, such as those that automatically fold car mirrors. Combustion-engine vehicles utilize lanthanum and cerium to reduce emissions.

Author: Sophia Brooks