Structure of global REE consumption
Relevance
Rare earth elements are used in a wide variety of applications. Catalysts account for 28%, optics and glass — 23%, magnets — 18%. For the needs of metallurgy — 16%. Luminophores account for 7% and ceramics — 4%. Other industries — 4%. Among countries, Japan ranks first in terms of REE consumption, followed by the United States, China and European countries. China consumes mostly undivided rare earth elements (required for catalysts in the oil refining industry), while Japan, Europe and the United States prefer individual rare earth elements.
Japan
After a decline in REE demand in 2001−03, Japan is experiencing a rebound in consumption. Japan is experiencing a rebound in consumption. In 2007, demand exceeded the 1999 level and amounted to 47,000 tons. The drop in consumption was the result of a decline in the production of CRTs for TV sets and monitors. From imported bastanesite, Japan produces 5 thousand tons of REE, while the rest (35−42 thousand tons) is imported. Imports from China account for 82% to 99%. Imports are dominated by individual rare earth metals and cerium dioxide, badly needed for the production of catalytic exhaust filters.
U.S.
Demand for rare earth elements in 2006−2007 amounted to 11−11.5 thousand tons, compared to 15.1 thousand tons in 2001. Automotive catalysts dominate in the structure of demand for rare earth elements in the USA. Alloy additives account for 21%, ceramics and polishing compounds 14%, phosphors 10%, chemical catalysts 8%.
Europe
Demand for rare earths in Europe is about 13,000 tons per year. Petrochemical catalysts (46%) and polishing mixtures (32%) dominate in the structure of industrial consumption. In Europe, the main consumer of rare earth elements is France, and among European corporations the French firm Rhodia Electronics and Catalysis, which specializes in the separation and refining of rare earth elements, as well as the production of a number of products containing rare earth group, is the leader.
China
Demand for rare earth group in China itself amounted to 62,9 thousand tons in 2006 and up to 80 thousand tons in 2007 (in terms of oxides). At the same time, China’s demand and production of final rare earth products are characterized by growth. Increased demand for alloys alloyed with rare-earth elements for nickel-metal hydride batteries and neodymium-iron-boron sintered magnets resulted from production of hybrid electric cars. The PRC has two major rare earth element and metal producer corporations — Southern Rare Earth Group, comprising 7 major mills in Jiangsu Province, and Northern Rare Earth Group of 10 major enterprises in the Baotou region.
Export
China exports the bulk of rare metals. In 2007, exports amounted to 54,000. tons. However, domestic demand for rare earth elements increased significantly in some industries (production of phosphors and magnets), so the volume of exports from China decreased in 2006. It was caused not only by increased demand for these products in China itself, but also by stricter environmental legislation in the country and strengthening of state control over the extraction of raw materials. In 2006 exports from the country were limited to 45 thousand tons (10% less than in 2005). Largely responsible for the reduction of exports was abolishment of duty relief in 2005 and the surge in price of export licenses in 2006. By autumn 2006 it grew by 30−60% as compared with spring (from $0.3−0.4 to $0.5 per kg). From the middle of 2007 the export duty on oxides was added to the 10% export duty on metals and the export license price was raised to $ 1.5−2/kg. Since early 2008, the export duty has been further increased by 15−25%.
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